Question

On which date did Christopher Columbus reach America?
A) 10th May 1498
B) 12th October 1492
C) 6th March 1497
D) 3rd April 1472

Answer 1

Hint: Christopher Columbus was born in Genova, Italy. He was an explorer and navigator. He made four trips across the Atlantic beginning from Spain in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502. This journey marked the starting of transatlantic colonization.

Complete answer:
According to the question, we need to tell the date on which Christopher Columbus founded America. Let’s analyse the options.

A) 10th May 1498- This is an incorrect answer. In May 1498, the Vasco da Gama was capable of crossing the Indian ocean and emerged the trade routes with Gulf, India and Southeast Asia. He was the first European who was successful to come to India as everyone else failed to do so. He entered India in Calicut, Kerala.

B) 12th October 1492 – This is the correct answer. Christopher made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean to make a direct route west from Europe to Asia but he failed to do the same and eventually found America in the journey. In August 1492, Christopher along with his crew started his journey with three ships- Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. On 12th October 1492, the ships made landfall. Columbus thought that they were on Bahamian islands but they landed on the East Indies. Hence unexpectedly he stumbled into America on 12th October.

C) 6th March 1497- This is an incorrect answer. In March 1497, Amerigo Vespucci started his first voyage. He was successful in his third trip and found the nowadays called Rio de Janeiro and Rio de la Plata. Apart from this, according to some resources he discovered one new continent and called South America the new world. Furthermore, America was also named after him.

D) 3rd April 1472- This is an incorrect answer. In 1472, There were two major historical events. Firstly, on 20th Feb, Orkney and Shetland left Norway and moved to Scotland because of dowry payment. Secondly, on 24th June, Sophia Palaiologina, the princess of Byzantine left Rome and went to Moscow with a larger number of attendants due to marry Ivan III.

So, Christopher Columbus reached America on 12th October 1492. Hence, Option (B) is the right choice.

Note: As per history, Christopher Columbus is known for starting a new world but still he is not regarded as a hero due to his behaviour with the indigenous communities. He also had a role in the violation of colonization. Few of the cities have converted Columbus Day into Indigenous people’s day.