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Christopher Columbus
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Christopher Columbus arriving in the New World, 1492. Columbus presents gifts to the first natives to greet him on his landing in America. Columbus set out to discover a westward route to Asia. (Native Americans, colonization of the Americas)
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"Landing of Columbus" by John Vanderlyn, oil on canvas; commissioned 1836/1837, placed 1847. In the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. 12' x 18' ft. (3.66 m. x 5.49 m.) Christopher Columbus and members of his crew are shown on a beach
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Christopher Columbus kneeling, holding flag and sword with two other men holding flags. There are other men on land and in boats behind Columbus and three ships in background. On the island named San Salvador by Columbus, later called Watling Island.
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Christopher Columbus: Facts & Related Content

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Facts

Also Known As Cristóbal Colón • Cristoforo Colombo
Born Between August 26, 1451 and October 31, 1451 • Genoa
Died May 20, 1506 • Valladolid • Spain
Notable Family Members son Diego Columbus • brother Bartholomew Columbus

Did You Know?

  • Columbus' heirs sued the Spanish crown, claiming Columbus was deprived of his profits. The lawsuits ended almost 300 years after Columbus first set sail.
  • Spanish ships in the 1400s were generally named after saints; hence, 'Nina' and 'Pinta' are actually nicknames given to the ships by the sailors.
  • Columbus was assured 10 percent of any wealth he found as well as the rank of nobility and governor over the Americas he was to encounter.

Photos and Videos

Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher, Diego, and Ferdinand Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus's fleet
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus: departing from Palos, Spain
Landing of Columbus
Sebastiano del Piombo: Portrait of a Man, Said to Be Christopher Columbus
Enjoy a dramatization of Christopher Columbus petitioning Spain's king and queen for three ships
How did Spain become a colonial power in America?
Examine the history—and controversy—behind Columbus Day
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Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés
Spanish conquistador
René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle
French explorer
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro
Spanish explorer
Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh
English explorer
Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Spanish explorer
Jacques Cartier
Jacques Cartier
French explorer
Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain
French explorer
Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León
Spanish explorer
Giovanni da Verrazzano
Giovanni da Verrazzano
Italian navigator
Juan Bermúdez
Spanish navigator
Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt
German explorer and naturalist
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan
Portuguese explorer
Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake
English admiral
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama
Portuguese navigator
Amerigo Vespucci
Amerigo Vespucci
Italian navigator
Title page of Richard Hakluyt's The Principall Navigations, Voiages and Discoveries of the English Nation
Richard Hakluyt
British geographer
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson
English navigator and explorer
John Smith
John Smith
British explorer
William Clark
William Clark
American explorer
Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis
American explorer

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