Today marks Columbus Day, the annual celebration of the Italian Explorer who launched four successful voyages across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.
Sadly, recent polls show nearly half of Americans don’t know the true story behind the journey.
So, here’s how Chris’ big trip really went down…
After working as a sailor for two decades, the Italian believed he knew a better route to Asia: To reach the Far East, head west. He lobbied Monarchs across Europe, finally securing money from the Spanish Crown. On August 3rd, 1492, Christopher set sail with a crew of ninety men. 36 days later, they landed in the Bahamas.
The Europeans first thought they were in Japan, China, or India. The men then sailed the Caribbean, meeting the islands’ native population.
During his lifetime, Columbus led four expeditions to the "New World," but he never accomplished his original goal—a western route to Asia.
The Admiral died in 1506 at the age of 55.
Today, Old Chris isn’t as popular as he once was.
According to a Newsweek poll, 80 percent of American college students want to ditch Columbus Day. In 2021, President Biden officially declared the second Monday in October “Indigenous People’s Day.”
Sorry, Christopher Columbus.
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