Happy Columbus Day!
Christopher Columbus was the famous Italian navigator and explorer who discovered the “New World” — America — in 1492. The expedition was paid for by King Ferdinand of Spain. On his famous voyage, Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with three ships: The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. It was, perhaps, the most famous voyage in history.
In the United States, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. The holiday celebrates Columbus’s “discovery” of America (It certainly wasn’t a “discovery” to the millions who already lived here!). Various versions of the holiday are also celebrated in other countries throughout the Americas.
Happy Columbus Day!
Quotes from Notable Explorers
“You will never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
Christopher Columbus
“I leave this rule for others when I’m dead: be always sure you’re right, then go ahead.”
Davy Crockett, American Frontiersman
“You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things — to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.”
Edmund Hillary, Mountain Climber
Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not knows no release from little things.
Amelia Earhart, Aviation Pioneer
About Columbus and His Voyages
It’s a Fact: Columbus mistakenly thought that he could sail from Europe to Asia by crossing the Atlantic Ocean. But instead of finding a different route to Asia, he discovered America.
It’s a Fact: On October 12, 1492, Columbus and his crew spotted land when they arrived at a small island in the Bahamas that Columbus named San Salvador.
It’s a Fact: When he arrived on the shores of America, Columbus met natives that he called Indians because he was convinced that he had landed on islands off the coast of India, which is located in Asia.
It’s a Fact: When he returned to Spain, Columbus was treated like a hero. The King of Spain agreed to fund more voyages.
It’s a Fact: After his first successful trip across the Atlantic, Columbus made three more voyages to the Americas. He explored more of the Caribbean and even saw mainland America. He never accomplished his original goal of sailing to Asia, but he did sail into the history books.
Fun Fact: The average depth of the Atlantic Ocean is about 11,900 feet, which is about 3,600 meters. That’s means the Atlantic is, on average, over 2 miles deep.
Fun Fact: The Atlantic Ocean is connected to the Pacific Ocean by the manmade Panama Canal, which was opened on August 15, 1914. The canal is one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken.
Fun Fact: On his voyages, Columbus discovered a few islands, but the Atlantic Ocean has thousands of them. Greenland, which is in the North Atlantic, is the largest island in the world (not counting Australia, which is a continent). About 80% of Greenland is covered by a sheet of ice that’s over a mile thick. If all the ice on the Greenland Ice Sheet melted, the sea level would rise 24 feet! Thank goodness it’s cold up there!
Just for fun,
On his famous voyage to America, how may boats did Columbus take? One, two, three, or four?
What year did Columbus discover America? Was it 1442, 1462, or 1492?
Here’s a rhyme that can help you remember this famous date:
“In fourteen hundred and ninety-two,
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”
Which canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean? Is it the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, or the Erie Canal?
If all the ice in Greenland melted, how much would sea-level rise? Would it rise 2 feet, 12 feet, or 24 feet?
Here's a riddle for you:
Why don't oysters share their pearls?
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