COLUMBUS DAY

HRISTOPHER COLUMBUS discovered America in 1492. At least that is what all elementary school children were always taught: "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." Of course, Columbus never did "discover" North America, and the regions he did explore were already inhabited. He only discovered them from the viewpoint of the Europeans. 

Columbus and 90 crewmen were aboard the three ships that were to make the first voyage to the New World, the Niña, Pinta, and the flagship, Santa Maria. Columbus' expedition was unique and important in that it resulted in the first intertwining of Europe with the Americas, resulting in the first permanent European colonies in the New World.