SCIENTISTS (1451–1506); GENOA, ITALY
Most people who went to primary shoal in the United States know the name Christopher Columbus . Born Cristoforo Colombo , he ’s one of history ’s most famous explorers , but his accomplishments and legacy are heatedly dispute today . Christopher Columbus may not have chance on America , but he did take several voyage to the continent that helped ignite Europe ’s Age of Exploration . And while he ’s lionize for his achievements in some circles , he ’s vituperate in others , due to his mistreatment of indigenous populations and even his own crew . discover out more about the complicated biography of Christopher Columbus .
1. Most historians believe Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy.
accord to the consensus among historiographer , Christopher Columbus was expect in the Republic of Genoa ( or Genova ) in what would later become Italy . The exact date of his birth is unknown , but it ’s estimated he was born sometime in 1451 . It ’s potential that hismotherwas Susanna Fontanarossa and his don was a woollen merchandiser named Domenico Colombo .
2. There’s also the theory that Christopher Columbus was from Portugal.
Italians have long take Christopher Columbus as one of their own , but not everyone is in agreement about the explorer ’s birthplace . In 2012 , University of Lisbon prof Fernando Branco published a book proposing that Columbus was actually birth in Portugal . The hypothesis submit that Columbus was really a man named Pedro Ataíde and his more far-famed identity was a cover . Pedro Ataíde allegedly died during a naval struggle in 1476 , but Branco postulate that he survive and washed up on the shores of the Algarve in Southern Portugal . One of the first historic phonograph record of Columbus describes him swim away from a shipwreck . Much of the evidence Branco present can be chalked up to coincidence , but the theory does spotlight the fact that many detail are neglect from historical record book of Columbus ’s former life .
3. Christopher Columbus’s voyage to America started from Spain, not Italy.
4. The ships Christopher Columbus used to sail to America were a nightmare.
The two smaller gravy holder that made up Christopher Columbus ’s fleet — theNiñaand thePinta(whichwere nicknames , not official names)—were state - of - the - artcaravels . These watercraft were known for their streamlined sail and lightweight body-build that made them fast and soft to voyage . They were also excellently uncomfortable . The one cabin at the back of the ship was reserve for its captain , and the relaxation of the 20 to 30 crew members had to sleep on the cramped pack of cards — that is , if they could ever stop working long enough to actually lie for a moment . The situation was slightly better on the largerSanta Maria , where there were cabin for both Columbus and his gang . Even so , the bluejacket were close to mutiny by the time the fleet progress to the Bahamas come after roughly two month at sea .
5. Christopher Columbus wasn’t the first European to discover North America.
For 100 , Christopher Columbus has been mistakenly credited with discovering North America — a continent where human civilization had already been flourishing forthousands of years . But even his title of respect as the first European to locomote to the Americas is inaccurate . Viking explorer Leif Erikson scramble Columbus by about500 years , likely landing in Newfoundland , Canada , around 1000 CE . Some legends even intimate thatIrish monkstraveled to Canada by the North Sea before either explorer set sail .
6. Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492 wasn’t his only trip to North America.
His fourth and final voyage to the Caribbean took place in 1502 . Columbus never determine China or India or the gold he was wait for , but he did manage to terrify and enslave native islanders , turn his crews against him ( feed themworm - infested biscuits will do that ) , and get stranded in Jamaica for a year after wrack a four - boat fleet . Christopher Columbus would conk out on May 20 , 1506 .
7. Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937—but not everyone is a fan.
In 1937 , President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared October 12 as Columbus Day , afederalday of observance that became a reality thanks to the influence of a Catholic chemical group called the Knights of Columbus . In 1971 , President Richard Nixon create the modern interpretation of Columbus Day by declare that it be observed on thesecond Mondayof every October . This was in an attempt to makeuniform holidaysthat took home on Mondays to create more three - day weekends for Americans .
That does n’t mean everyone is a fan of the holiday . Due to Columbus ’s malicious handling of Native Americans and other indigenous hoi polloi , many state and citiesrefuse to recognize Columbus Day , instead opting for Indigenous Peoples ' Day , while others celebrateLeif Erikson Dayto honor the traveling Norseman .
