This Day in History: 12 October 2020
12 October 1492
528 years ago, today, Christopher Columbus reached the 'New World' after sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, claiming the land for Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain. After setting sail from Palos, Spain, in August, the expedition reached land. Cuba was spotted afterwards, which he thought was mainland China, and in December, they landed on Hispaniola, which was mistaken for Japan. He established a small colony there with 39 men. When he returned to Spain, Columbus brought with him gold, spices and 'Indian' captives. This was received with the highest honours by the Spanish court.
During his lifetime, Columbus in total led four expeditions to the 'New World', exploring many Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South and Central American main lands. He was also the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings in the 10th century, when they had set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland. However, he never achieved his original goal, a western oceanic route to the cities of Asia. In 1506, Columbus died without realising what he did accomplish. He had opened Europe to the New World, whose riches would help make Spain the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth.
Want to find out more about Columbus' discovery of the New World? Click here for more information, or here for more on the legend's truth.
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