When Columbus sailed the ocean blue back in 1492, he got a whole lot more than he bargained for. As he sailed off across the Atlantic, he expected to arrive in Japan. Instead of making it to Japan, he found the New World. In the next three trips following his discovery of the new land, he continued to find new land and what is known today as the continents of North America and South America. Along with the continents, Columbus also discovered Central America. With a land so vast Columbus was one of the many explorers to actually settle down in the land. Columbus, an Italian, set out on the initial journey for the Monarchs of Spain, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. Though, today North America is mainly an English speaking country, Columbus, along …show more content…
French and French Canadian explorers settled in the large area nearly one hundred and fifty years later, out of interest in commercial and religious opportunities around the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The first capital of Louisiana, Fort Maurepas, was also established by the French. Many traditions continue today that were influenced by the French that colonized the land. One Christmas tradition that was brought from French and German culture is Festival of Bonfires, or known today as Christmas Eve levee bonfires. When the early settlers from France and Germany arrived, fire was necessary for survival of course. Though if these fires were for celebration or survival, early New Year festivities included the burning of these big cone shaped fires, amongst other things, like eating gumbo and drinking eggnog. Later on, the bonfires and other festivities moved into Christmas as well, even making it a month long celebration. A popular explanation for the tradition is that the fires were to light the way for “Papa Noel”, the Cajun Santa Claus. This tradition is still practiced today during the Christmas and New Year