christopher Columbus Discovers America, 1492
Columbus led his three ships - the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria - out of the Spanish
port of Palos on August 3, 1492. His objective was to sail west until he reached Asia (the Indies)
where the riches of gold, pearls and spice awaited. His first stop was the Canary Islands where
the lack of wind left his expedition becalmed until September 6.