Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus is depicted here in his only state-sponsored (albeit non-authenticated) portrait, painted by Alejo Fernández between 1505 and 1536. Photo by Historian Manuel Rosa
Christopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo; Spanish: Cristóbal Colón) (c. 1451May 20, 1506) was a Genoese navigator and admiral whose four transatlantic voyages in the service of Spain (in 14921493, 14931496, 14981500, and 15021504) opened the Americas to European exploration and colonization. History places great significance on his discovery of America in 1492, although he did not actually reach the mainland until his third voyage in 1498. Nor was he the earliest European explorer to reach the Americas the Viking explorer Leif Ericson had already reached America in the 11th century. Despite this, the period before 1492 is known as Pre-Columbian, and the anniversary of this event, Columbus Day, is celebrated in many parts of America.
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