Today in History

August 3, 1492

Columbus Sets Sail

On this day in 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. His great quest for a western route to Asia from Europe had found no support from Portugal or from Italian princes. However, the queen of Spain agreed to fund his mission. He sailed first to the Canary Islands where he provisioned his ships and made repairs. He and his crew then began the five-week voyage into the unknown waters of the Atlantic. Land was first sited on October 12, 1492.

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