Christopher Columbus's first expedition makes landfall on San Salvador Island in the Caribbean. (Julian calendar)

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed four Spanish transatlantic voyages in the name of the Catholic Monarchs, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His expeditions were the first known European contact with the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus
Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Casa di Colombo Genova foto 2
Casa di Colombo Genova foto 2 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Castello d'Albertis-DSCF5494
Castello d'Albertis-DSCF5494 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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Sources and further reading: Wikipedia — Christopher Columbus, Voyages of Christopher Columbus, San Salvador Island, Caribbean (CC BY-SA). Images: Wikimedia Commons.