Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was born between August 26 and October 31, 1451 in Genoa, Italy. He was a navigator who explored the Americas under the flag of Spain, paving the way for European colonization and exploitation of the Americas.

In 1479, Christopher Columbus married Felipa Perestrello Moniz, daughter of explorer Bartholomeu Perestrello, who was involved in the discovery of the Madeira Islands. Felipa gave Columbus her late father's charts of winds and currents in the Atlantic.

In 1486, Christopher Columbus sought patronage from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain for his proposed Atlantic crossing, eventually obtaining royal support in January 1492.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the New World for Europe, marking the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

On January 16, 1492, Christopher Columbus began his return journey to Spain.

Christopher Columbus departs from Palos, Spain, near Huelva, on his first voyage to the Americas.

After repair and refit, Christopher Columbus departs from Gomera in the Canary Islands during his first voyage to the Americas.

On September 8, 1492, Christopher Columbus started his voyages on the Santa Maria, Nina, and Pinta ships to explore new lands.

By September 15, 1492, Christopher Columbus and his fleet reached the Canaries under favorable conditions during their exploration journey.

On September 20, 1492, at the Sargasso Sea, the weather conditions changed. Columbus kept two log books to deceive the crew about the actual length of the voyage.

On October 7, 1492, a false landfall was spotted during Columbus' expedition.

October 11, 1492, witnessed a near mutiny from Columbus' crew due to the challenging circumstances of the voyage.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on his first transatlantic voyage under the sponsorship of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. This historic journey marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

By October 28, 1492, Columbus' fleet reached Cuba during his exploration of the West Indies.

Rodrigo de Triana spotted a new land in the Bahamas during the early hours of 2:00 a.m.

Between August 3, 1492, and November 6, 1492, Christopher Columbus kept a detailed diary during his first voyage. The journal documented his encounters with wildlife, weather, crew moods, and initial impressions of the local people, including his argument for their enslavement.

Christopher Columbus and his crew reached Cuba on this date.

On December 5, 1492, the Santa Maria sank off the coast of Hispaniola, but Columbus managed to establish the first Spanish settlement in the New World.

Christopher Columbus arrives at Lisbon, Portugal.

On March 5, 1493, Christopher Columbus arrived at Palos in Spain, bringing news of the New World.

Christopher Columbus arrived back in Palos on March 15, 1493, after his first voyage to the Americas. He later met with Ferdinand and Isabella in Barcelona to report his findings.

On November 3, 1493, Christopher Columbus landed on Dominica and Marie-Galante, naming them accordingly. He continued to explore islands like Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Antigua, Saint Martin, Saint Croix, and the Virgin Islands, naming them as he went along.

Christopher Columbus sights the island of Dominica at dawn, followed shortly by Guadeloupe.

Christopher Columbus founds the new colony of La Isabela.

On September 25, 1494, Christopher Columbus embarked on his second voyage, exploring Hispaniola (Jamaica), encountering native Carib and Arawak Indians, establishing a Spanish settlement in Haiti, and searching for gold.

On September 29, 1494, Christopher Columbus returned to Spain from his second voyage.

In 1495, Columbus, while ill, allowed his troops to enact cruelties on the natives, including torturing them for gold. Upon recovery, he led hunts for natives who fled, killing or mutilating them. Spanish colonists under his rule also began buying and selling natives as slaves.

On March 10, 1496, Christopher Columbus departed from La Isabela for Spain.

On June 8, 1496, Christopher Columbus reached the coast of Portugal.

On May 30, 1498, Columbus embarked on his third voyage to the Americas with six ships. The objective was to verify the existence of a continent southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, as suggested by King John II of Portugal.

On June 19, 1498, Christopher Columbus arrived at Gomera (Canary Islands) during his third voyage and split his fleet into two.

Columbus departs from the Cape Verde Islands on his journey to the New World, taking a more southerly route across the Atlantic.

Columbus arrives at Trinidad during his exploration voyage, marking a significant point in his journey.

After leaving the Gulf of Paria, Columbus arrives at Margarita, further advancing his exploration of the Caribbean region.

In 1500, Francisco de Bobadilla landed at Santo Domingo and believed that Columbus and his brothers considered themselves rulers of the new country. He ordered their imprisonment, where they were harshly held in irons and sent home in chains. These actions horrified royalty, nobility, and the Spanish people, leading to the restoration of all privileges to Christopher Columbus who then proposed another voyage of discovery.

On 12 December 1500, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella summoned Columbus and his brothers to the Alhambra palace in Granada. Columbus, with his chains removed, tearfully admitted his faults and begged for forgiveness, leading to their freedom being restored.

During his Fourth New World Voyage in 1502, Christopher Columbus met with advanced traders who were likely Mayan vassals of the Aztecs, showcasing the early interactions between European explorers and indigenous civilizations.

On May 11, 1502, Columbus departed from Cádiz, Spain, with four ships to embark on his Fourth Voyage.

On June 29, 1502, Columbus arrived at Santo Domingo, Hispaniola, during his Fourth Voyage.

After being stranded on the island for over a year, the crew of a ship is finally rescued.

Christopher Columbus passed away on May 20, 1506, at the Spanish court in Valladolid. His death marked the end of an era for the renowned explorer who played a significant role in the Age of Discovery.