Oct. 9 each year also honors Nordic explorer Leif Erickson, since a 2005 proclamation by President Bush.

Donald M. Fairbairn Jr. is professor of historical theology at Evangelical Theology Faculty in Leuven, Belgium. Previously he was a professor of historical theology and missions at Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, S.C. He is the author of Eastern Orthodoxy Through Western Eyes.

Read an Oct. 5, 2012 Wired article about the movement to rename Columbus Day as “Exploration Day,” to preserve the history of America and its discovery while keeping the story true to its essence in regards to the violence towards the Native Americans.

John H. Erickson is professor of church history at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, N.Y.

Read a poll about whether or not Columbus Day should continue to be celebrated as a national holiday. This poll provides reasoning behind both sides of the debate.

Read an Oct. 8, 2012 ABC News article about the history of Christopher Columbus finding the Americas, and how that story might change depending on the point of view.

The PBS show Frontline did a special called Apocalypse, which included exploring whether Columbus believed he was on an apocalyptic, divinely-ordained mission. See a page of short essays.

Emmanuel Clapsis is professor of dogmatic theology at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. Among his publications is The Orthodox Churches in a Pluralistic World: An Ecumenical Conversation.

Stephen Devadoss is a professor of agricultural economics and rural sociology at the University of Idaho.