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Articles and Products of History American HistoryThere is a debate as to who was the first person or group of people to explore what we now call the United States. European historians like to insist that it was Christopher Columbus who first discovered the new world. Many other historians insist it was the Vikings who first landed in America.
Columbus went to both the King of England and the King of Portugal for funding for his exploration. Both kings flatly turned him down. What Columbus was actually trying to do was find a trade route to India and to also locate the country now called Japan. Marco Polo had identified Japan years earlier. Marco wrote about his traveling experiences with the Armies of the great Kahn. It was not until August 3, 1492 that Columbus finally set sail for America. Due to the generosity of the Queen of Spain Columbus was able to make sail with three ships. Columbus actually landed on the island of San Salvador first; this would be one of four trips to the new world Columbus would make before his death. But why wasnt the newly discovered land called Columbia, or Christopher? A little know fact is that Columbus had a navigator named Americus Vespucius. Americus wrote a false account of the discovery in the year after Columbus died. Americus not only claimed to have landed on the mainland prior to Columbus he also stated he made an additional trip to the new world on his own. These claims were false and only complicated by the fact Christopher Columbus had died so no one could challenge Americus claim. Just as with many facts about history, the true discoverers of America are shrouded with questions and doubt. Over the next two hundred years the British, French and Spanish sent explorers to the New World. The most well know would be Henry Hudson, who was instrumental in the establishment of the colonies and the mapping of the Hudson River. Little did Columbus or Hudson know how their actions would affect the world forever. The United States is now one of the worlds super powers, with one of the strongest economies and armies in the world. If your quest for knowledge is neverending come learn the history of all things, including sports, inventions and events. Who knew learning history could be so much fun? Further Reading
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