Christopher Columbus landed in a part of the Americas on October 12th, 1494. This day is now celebrated as Columbus Day. Christopher Columbus was an Italian sailor born in Genoa in 1451. The day did not become an official holiday until 1906 when it became recognized as a state holiday in Colorado and officially a federal holiday in 1934. Here are some interesting facts about Christopher Columbus and his journey to America:

• Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. He began sailing when he was only 15 years old.
• When he set sail for the expedition, he was given three ships by the city of Palos.
• He set sail in August of 1492. It was 35 days before a sailor spotted land.
• The names of the three ships were the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.
• His crew consisted of 90 men.
• The expedition’s goal was to chart a western sea route to India and China and to the islands in Asia with spices and gold.
• When Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, he was the first European since the 10th century to have the opportunity to explore the Americas.
• Christopher Columbus made the voyage to the New World three times.
• He died when he was 55, in 1506, only two years after his last trip to the New World.

Have a great day!