On August 3, 1492, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus started his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. With a crew of 90 men and three shipsâthe Niña, Pinta, and Santa Mariaâhe left from Palos de la Frontera, Spain. Columbus reasoned that since the world is round, he could sail west to reach âthe eastâ (the lucrative lands of India and China). That reasoning was actually sound, but the Earth is much larger than Columbus thoughtâlarge enough for him to run into two enormous continents (the âNew Worldâ of the Americas) mostly unknown to Europeans.
Columbus made it to what is now the Bahamas in 61 days. He initially thought his plan was successful and the ships had reached India. In fact, he called the indigenous people âIndians,â an inaccurate name that unfortunately stuck.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.COM
