1. The Man Who Discovered America
Christopher Columbus, born Cristoforo Colombo, was an Italian explorer who was born in the port city of Genoa, Italy. He is best known for his voyages to the New World, which began in 1492. He was the first European to reach the Americas, and his voyages marked the beginning of the European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
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Advertisement2. 14-year-old Christopher Columbus becomes a seafarer
At the tender age of fourteen, Christopher Columbus began his career as a seafarer, setting sail on the open seas. To support himself, he later turned to selling maps and charts, honing his skills as a navigator and cartographer. His passion for exploration and discovery eventually led him to become one of the most famous explorers in history, as he set out to find a new route to the East Indies.
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3. Explorer of the New World
Christopher Columbus is renowned for his exploration of the New World, having "discovered" many of the Caribbean Islands, South America, and Central America for the Europeans. His voyages of discovery began in 1492, when he set sail from Spain with three ships, the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. During his four voyages, Columbus explored the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and other islands in the Caribbean, as well as parts of Central and South America. His discoveries opened up the New World to European exploration and colonization, and his legacy continues to be celebrated today.
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4. The Man Who Discovered America
Christopher Columbus, under the patronage of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, completed four remarkable voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. These voyages were instrumental in introducing the American continents to the Europeans, and were the first steps in the Spanish colonization of the New World. Columbus' efforts to establish permanent settlements on the island of Hispaniola were the foundation of this colonization, and his legacy continues to be celebrated today.
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Advertisement5. The Vikings were the first to discover America
Although Christopher Columbus is often credited with discovering the New World, it was actually the Vikings who first set foot in the Americas. Leif Erikson and his crew of Norse explorers are believed to have arrived in North America around the year 1000, more than 500 years before Columbus' famous voyage in 1492.
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6. 14-year-old Christopher Columbus sets sail on first voyage
At the tender age of fourteen, Christopher Columbus embarked on his first voyage to sea, setting the stage for a life of exploration and discovery. His first journey was a defining moment in his life, as it sparked a passion for the sea that would eventually lead him to become one of the most famous explorers in history. Columbus's first voyage was a major milestone in his life, and it set the course for his future accomplishments.
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7. European Exploration of the Americas Begins with Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was not the first European to reach the Americas, as the Norse expedition led by Leif Ericson had done so in the 11th century. However, Columbus's voyages marked the beginning of a long period of European exploration, conquest, and colonization of the Americas, as his voyages led to the first lasting contact between Europe and the Americas. This period of European influence lasted for centuries, and had a lasting impact on the history of the Americas.
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Advertisement8. Christopher Columbus never reached North America
Christopher Columbus never had the chance to set foot on the mainland of North America, despite his four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. He instead landed on various Caribbean islands, including the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola. His first voyage in 1492 was the most famous, as it was the one that led to the discovery of the Americas. Despite his failure to reach the mainland, Columbus' voyages were still incredibly influential, as they opened up the New World to European exploration and colonization.
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9. Columbus was well-educated and exposed to a variety of languages
As a child, Christopher Columbus was likely well-educated and exposed to a variety of languages, as evidenced by his later fluency in Latin, Portuguese, and Castilian Spanish. Scholars speculate that his family was moderately wealthy, as this would have enabled him to study the works of Ptolemy, the ancient Greek astronomer and geographer, which he did in preparation for his famous voyages of discovery.
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10. Christopher Columbus Used the Lunar Eclipse to Secure Food
Christopher Columbus was in a desperate situation in February 1504, stranded in Jamaica with half his crew gone and the islanders refusing to provide food. He knew, however, that the heavens would guide him safely once again. He had consulted his almanac and knew that a lunar eclipse was coming on February 29, 1504. He warned the islanders that his god was displeased with their refusal of food and that the moon would "rise inflamed with wrath" as an expression of divine displeasure. When the eclipse occurred, the moon was darkened and turned red, and the terrified islanders offered provisions and begged Columbus to ask his god for mercy. Thanks to his knowledge of the heavens, Columbus was able to secure food and continue his journey.
