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Columbus' First Voyage in 1492
Timeline FactsAug 3, 1492The Niña, Pinta and the Santa María sail from Palos, Spain.Aug 12The ships reach the Canary Islands and stay there until Sept 6.Sept 9Sailing westward, the ships loose sight of land at nightfall.Sept 30Ships complete 3 weeks travel with no sight of land. This is the longest journey made with no sight of land.Oct 7A mistaken shout of "Land Ho" brings great disappointment.Oct 10Sailors are on the point of mutiny, but agree to sail on for 2 or 3 more days.Oct 12Columbus discovers America when land is sighted. He goes ashore on San Salvador (Watlings Island) in the Bahamas.Dec 24Columbus' flagship, the Santa María is wrecked off Cap Haïtien.Jan 16, 1493The Niña and Pinta begin their homeward voyage. Columbus is aboard the Niña.Feb 8The 2 ships are hit by strong headwinds.Feb 12A storm threatens the Niña.Feb 13-14The 2 ships are separated by the stormFeb 15The Niña arrives at Santa María island in the Azores and waits 10 days before leaving without the Pinta.March 3The Niña arrives at Lisbon and stays there 10 days.March 15The Niña returns to its home port, Palos. The Pinta arrives there a few hours later.Click to EnterChristopher Columbus
Famous Explorer
Born 1451.
Died 1506.
Last Modified on November 5, 2007