Birth of Cristóbal Colón
Cristóbal Colón was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451. His early life in a maritime city sparked his interest in navigation and exploration.
1451
1476
First Voyage as a Navigator
At the age of 25, Cristóbal Colón began his career as a navigator, sailing to various locations, which helped him gain valuable experience for his future expeditions.
1484
Proposal to the Spanish Crown
Colón presented his plan to reach Asia by sailing west to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, but his proposal was initially rejected.
1492
First Voyage to the New World
On August 3, 1492, Cristóbal Colón set sail from Spain with three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. He reached the Bahamas on October 12, marking the first European contact with the Americas.
1493
Second Voyage and Colonization Efforts
Colón embarked on his second voyage with 17 ships and over 1,200 men, aiming to establish a permanent colony in the New World. He returned to Hispaniola, where he found the settlement of La Navidad had been destroyed.
1498
Third Voyage to South America
On his third voyage, Cristóbal Colón reached the South American mainland, specifically the coast of present-day Venezuela, expanding his understanding of the New World.
1500
Discovery of the Lesser Antilles
During his fourth voyage, Colón explored the Lesser Antilles and parts of Central America, furthering European knowledge of the Caribbean region.
1506
Death of Cristóbal Colón
Cristóbal Colón died on May 20, 1506, in Valladolid, Spain. He passed away believing he had found a new route to Asia, unaware of the full extent of his discoveries.
1537
Recognition of Colón's Achievements
In 1537, Pope Paul III recognized Cristóbal Colón's voyages as significant for the Catholic Church, leading to the establishment of the Feast of the Discovery of America.
1892
Columbus Day Established in the United States
The United States officially recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday in 1892, commemorating Cristóbal Colón's first voyage to the Americas.
1992
500th Anniversary of Columbus's Voyage
The 500th anniversary of Cristóbal Colón's first voyage was marked by celebrations and discussions about his legacy, highlighting both his achievements and the impact of colonization on indigenous peoples.
2006
Controversy Over Columbus's Legacy
Debates intensified regarding Cristóbal Colón's legacy, with many advocating for a re-evaluation of his role in history, particularly concerning the consequences for Native Americans.
2021
Statues and Commemoration Changes
In recent years, many cities have reconsidered the commemoration of Cristóbal Colón, leading to the removal of statues and the renaming of holidays in favor of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
2024
Ongoing Historical Reassessment of Cristóbal Colón
As of 2024, historians continue to reassess the impact of Cristóbal Colón's voyages, exploring the complexities of his legacy in the context of modern values and historical understanding.
