HistoryColumbus Credits Columbus Day

Columbus Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451 Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451 His Father, Domenico Columbo was a wool weaver.His Father, Domenico Columbo was a wool weaver. Christopher’s dream was to become a sea captain.Christopher’s dream was to become a sea captain. He studied geography books, the bible, Marco Polo’s writings and Pierre d’Ally’s Picture of the World, to gather all the information he could about the world.He studied geography books, the bible, Marco Polo’s writings and Pierre d’Ally’s Picture of the World, to gather all the information he could about the world. He became a chart maker because he believed he world was a sphere (round) instead of flat.He became a chart maker because he believed he world was a sphere (round) instead of flat. He wanted to find a shorter route to Asia.He wanted to find a shorter route to Asia. Main Family Mystery of Columbus’ Bones

Married Dona Felipa Perestrello in They had one son-Diego. Dona died shortly after childbirth. Columbus then had a relationship with Beatriz Enrique. They never got married, but they had a son, named Fernando, together. BACK

Mystery of Columbus’ Bones In May 1502, Columbus died and was buried in the Spanish city of Valladolid. His bones were then moved to Seville, Spain. His son Diego was buried next to him. Diego’s wife had both bodies later moved to Santo Domingo on Hispaniola. After the French took seize of Santo Domingo, Columbus was moved to Havana, Cuba. When Cuba became independent from Spain, the body was then moved back to Seville, Spain. In Santo Domingo, they discovered that they might have moved Diego’s body instead of Columbus’. So in Columbus’ tomb it might really be Diego and Columbus’ bones might have been in Santo Domingo the whole time. BACK

History Spanish Involvement Voyages Main Famous Ships

Spanish Involvement Columbus wanted to find a quicker route to Asia and was convinced that if he sailed west he would reach Asia (the “Indies”) faster than traveling around the tip of Africa. Columbus went and asked King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to help fund his trip. In 1492, several years after his appeal, he received the money for the trip. The King and Columbus made a deal that Columbus would only keep 10% of the wealth he brought back. Columbus also agreed to spread the word of Christianity. Back

Columbus’ Famous Ships Back Columbus had many ships, but the 3 that are most famous are the Pinta, Nina, and the Santa Maria. To learn more about Columbus’ ships and what life was like on the ships, click on the WebQuest button. Web Quest

Columbus’ Voyages Voyage #2 Voyage #1 Voyage #3 Voyage #4 MainBack

Columbus’ First Voyage –August 3, 1492 Columbus left Spain to start his first voyage – He took 3 ships: Santa Maria, Nina, Pinta –On October 12, 1492 he discovered land- the island of San Salvador –This is the date it is said that he discovered the Americas –Columbus claimed the islands –The Santa Maria was destroyed on December 24, 1942 –Columbus returned to Spain on the Nina –Spain had a huge reception for Columbus upon his return –They named him “Admiral of the Sea” Back

Columbus’ Second Voyage October 1493, Columbus left Cadiz with a fleet of 17 ships carrying a total of 1,500 colonists. He discovered the Leeward Islands, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The colonists he had brought to Hispaniola just wanted gold and were completely disorderly. Some seized a ship and returned to Spain. Columbus left his brother Bartholomew in charge of Hispaniola while he returned to Spain in Back

Columbus’ Third Voyage In 1498, Columbus left for his 3 rd expedition. He was forced to transport convicts to be new colonists, because Hispaniola’s conditions were not good and the novelty of the new world was wearing off. In 1500, the King and Queen of Spain sent an independent governor to Hispaniola because of the terrible conditions there under Columbus’ rule. Columbus was taken back to Spain in chains. He was released later, but his public support was growing wary. BACK

Columbus’ Fourth Voyage In 1502, Columbus gathered four more ships to make another voyage in attempt to reestablish his reputation. He was hoping that if he sailed far enough west he would find Asian land. He struck the coast of Central America. After suffering many hardships, he returned to Spain with no other choice, but to give up his dream. Back

COLUMBUS DAY First celebration of the discovery of the “New World” was in 1792, in New York. In 1937, President Roosevelt proclaimed every October 12 th as Columbus day. In 1971, Congress declared it a federal public holiday on the second Monday in October. Main

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