On August 3, 1492, the Italian Cristoforo Colombo, (Cristobal Colon in Spain) and his crew of 88 listed among three ships—Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria—set sail from Palos, on the coast of southern Spain. The first stop was the Canary Islands, off the coast of northern Africa, to repair the Pinta and to wait for the sea breezes to pick up to continue the voyage west.
By September 9th, the three ships had left the Canary Islands and less than five weeks later, landed on the islands now known as The Bahamas. Columbus’s voyage connected the Old World to a New World, opening immigration and trade and creating a new society.
Spain Finances Columbus’ Expedition
Columbus first approached Queen Isabella for backing of his expedition in 1486. The Queen was open to his request, and it was presented to her Royal Council for investigation; but it was not approved. In The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Volume II by Washington Irving, Irving wrote that the Council “looked upon his plan as extravagant and impossible.” Irving continues, “Because he was a stranger … and went but in simple apparel, nor otherwise credited than by the letter of a grey friar, they believed him not …” Additionally, the King and Queen were at war with the Moors, and most of their resources were focused on this effort.
Columbus was disappointed, but stayed in Spain and became acquainted with many of the royal court. At one point, he received several payments from the court, but it wasn’t until 1492, when Spain had finally defeated the Moors and was seeking to expand its territories, that the Queen and King agreed to finance Columbus’ expedition.
The First Voyage of Columbus
As a teen and young adult in Genoa, Columbus had learned about the Portuguese expeditions along the coast of Africa, seeking a sea route to the Far East. In his late 20s, he moved to Portugal and added to his knowledge of the sea by studying charts and navigational maps and by making sea voyages. He communicated with Paolo Toscanelli, a highly regarded cosmographer in Florence, who had created a map of the world that showed India, Japan, and China to the west. Columbus set sail on his first voyage with Toscanelli’s map as a guide.
The complete voyage took a little over two months, but a month-long stay on the Canary Islands brought the actual sailing time across the Atlantic Ocean to almost five weeks. Still, it was a long time to be at sea. The ships were well-stocked with provisions, which included various types of beans, olive oil, vinegar, honey, cheese, sea biscuits, salted and pickled fish and meat, nuts, and dried fruit. The crew was weary, uncomfortable, and unkempt, but there are no reports of illnesses or deaths and upon reaching land, the entire crew was intact.
October 12, 1492
Ten weeks after leaving Spain, Columbus and his crew set foot on an island in what is now The Bahamas. In the following months, he sailed among the islands, stopping at several, and then continued to Cuba and Hispaniola, where La Navidid was established. Columbus set sail for Spain several days after the beginning of the new year 1493, first stopping in Portugal, and then proceeding to Palos, arriving on March 15th.
The voyage of Columbus was one of skill, determination, and strong beliefs. Columbus Day is celebrated because, although the land of the unnamed continent was inhabited, the voyage of Columbus was the first documented account of the land and its people. His voyages allowed Spain, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and other countries to further explore the continent, establishing new colonies that eventually led to new nations.
In the course of history, and as with many other civilizations, the explorations were not beneficial to the natives. No accurate determination can be established that supports what the natives may have experienced if given more time as sole inhabitants of the land or if another explorer had documented the discovery. However, celebrating Columbus Day also honors all immigrants who made the journey from their land of discontent to a land of freedom.
Read about Italian American Heritage Month and how to teach children about their Italian heritage.
Sources
Life of Christopher Columbus by Clements R. Markham
The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Volume II by Washington Irving
The Journal of Christopher Columbus
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