Columbus Sets Sail

Date: August 3, 1492 • Location: Palos de la Frontera, Spain

Christopher Columbus sets sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain.

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.