1. Makes first American landfall

    · Guanahani, The Bahamas

    Makes first American landfall
    Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · file

    Columbus went ashore on Guanahani and claimed the island for the Catholic Monarchs, beginning sustained European contact with the Caribbean. The identity of Guanahani is disputed. Coordinates use San Salvador Island, a prominent candidate, and do not assert certainty.

All 73 moments of Christopher Columbus →