In 1492 an Italian from Genoa landed in the Americas.
School books relate it as a grand undertaking.
It might have been grand and the stuff of destiny, and nowadays of obvious importance, but in Christopher Columbus had a hard time finding backers for his project. History is repeating itself. Today many people regard the building of space colonies as pointless venture, and impossible undertaking, a waste of money, the daydream of a Space Trekkie or worse. And yet there are many compelling reasons for building permanent, self sustaining habitats outside the biosphere of Earth, while the arguments against such a project are mostly feeble and ill considered. The money could be spent on more worthwhile projects, like helping the poor Space colonies are a worthwhile cause.