Christopher Columbus was an
Italian navigator in the service of
Spain who opened the New World to exploration. On October 12, 1492 he landed on San Salvador Island in
the Bahamas with 3 ships he commanded; the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. This day is known as Columbus Day.
Americans observe Columbus Day on the second Monday in October (the same day as Thanksgiving in Canada).
Christopher Columbus was born on 1451 in Genoa, Italy and died on 1506 in Valladolid, Spain. His name is Cristóbal Colón in Spanish and Cristoforo Colombo in Italian.
