Have you ever wondered why native Americans are often called Indians? Well, even though we cannot be 100% sure about the reason as there are numerous explanations, here is the most dominant theory that most historians tend to agree.
When Christopher Columbus, landed on the the New World (who, by the way, wasn’t the first to do so), he thought that he found an alternative way to the Indies. Therefore, he named the native population “Red Indians” as a reference to their skin color.
Later generations, figured out that this was misconception but it was too late; they name stuck.
If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: When Did Christopher Columbus Realise That America Was Not India?
Photo: Tipis painted by George Catlin
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