Columbus sails from Palos
1492 · Event
After seven years of rejection — by Portugal twice, by Spain's own commissions — Columbus finally sails at dawn from a small Andalusian port with the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa María. Isabella's backing rests on a mathematical error: the Earth is far larger than he insists, and only an unimagined continent will save the expedition from sailing into starvation.
On these timelines: The Voyages of Columbus, Age of Exploration, Spain, Master
More from The Voyages of Columbus
- Columbus reaches the Americas (1492)
- First voyage of Columbus (1492)
- Second voyage of Columbus (1493)
- Columbus shipped home in chains (1500)
- Third voyage of Columbus (1498)
- Fourth voyage of Columbus (1502)
- The Santa María wrecks on Christmas night (1492)
- Death of Columbus (1506)
Around 1492
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