How old is columbus

Columbus Day is a U. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century, but did not become a More than years after he "discovered" the New World—kicking off centuries of exploration and colonization of the Americas—Christopher Columbus is honored with a federal holiday on the second Monday of every October.

However, as historians have continued to dig into the life Christopher Columbus has long been exalted as a heroic figure in American history: the first explorer to establish a European presence in the New World. Americans have celebrated his arrival as far back as , the th anniversary of his landing. But it would take almost Forget those myths perpetuated by everyone from Washington Irving to Bugs Bunny. There was no need for Columbus to debunk the flat-earthers—the ancient Greeks had already done so.

As early as the sixth century B. In search of fame and fortune, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan c. En route he discovered what is now known as the Strait of Magellan and became the The story of North American exploration spans an entire millennium and involves a wide array of European powers and uniquely American characters.

A decade later, he was serving as governor of the eastern province of Hispaniola when he decided to explore a nearby island, which became John Cabot or Giovanni Caboto, as he was known in Italian was an Italian explorer and navigator who may have developed the idea of sailing westward to reach the riches of Asia while working for a Venetian merchant.

Though the exact details of his life and expeditions are the Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Recommended for you. Christopher Columbus' Last Voyage. Christopher Columbus Sets Sail. Columbus' Quest for Gold. In Columbus set sail from Palos in Spain with three ships. Two, the Nina and the Pinta were caravels — small ships with triangular sails.

The third, the Santa Maria , was a nao — a larger square-rigged ship. The ships were small, between 15 and 36 metres long. Between them they carried about 90 men. After sailing across the Atlantic Ocean for 10 weeks, land was sighted by a sailor called Rodrigo Bernajo although Columbus himself took the credit for this. He landed on a small island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador.

He claimed the island for the King and Queen of Spain, although it was already populated. This initial encounter opened up the 'New World' to European colonisation, which would come to have a devastating impact on indigenous populations. On Christmas Day , the Santa Maria hit a rock and was wrecked. Columbus transferred to the Nina and left behind the 39 crewmembers of the Santa Maria on the island of Hispaniola.

He wanted them to start a new settlement. Columbus reached Spain in March , and claimed his reward in riches. He was also given new titles. Columbus made three more journeys across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. He was sure that he had found Cipangu Japan , but it was actually Cuba. Conditions were so bad that Spanish authorities had to send a new governor to take over. Columbus landed on a number of other islands in the Caribbean, including Cuba and Hispaniola, and returned to Spain in triumph.

He was made 'admiral of the Seven Seas' and viceroy of the Indies, and within a few months, set off on a second and larger voyage. More territory was covered, but the Asian lands that Columbus was aiming for remained elusive. Indeed, others began to dispute whether this was in fact the Orient or a completely 'new' world. Columbus made two further voyages to the newfound territories, but suffered defeat and humiliation along the way.

A great navigator, Columbus was less successful as an administrator and was accused of mismanagement. He died on 20 May a wealthy but disappointed man. Search term:. Read more.