You probably hear about this guy, at least on that one day every October when the post office is closed. He apparently went on a little cruise and had a subtle impact on the world. But exactly who is Christopher Columbus? These 10 numbers will help you understand why those unsolicited coupons show up in your mailbox one day late.
1451
The year in which Columbus was born (in Genoa, part of modern-day Italy).
4
The number of round-trip voyages Columbus completed between Europe and the Americas. His starting point for those voyages was modern-day Spain, as he was sponsored by a duo known as the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. More specifically, that’s Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, second cousins who decided to tie the knot.
3
If you went to elementary school in the US, this one is a no-brainer, as in the number of ships on Columbus’ first voyage. That’s the Niña (a nickname), the Pinta (also a nickname), and the Santa María. My guess is that your teacher probably didn’t play this song by Rage Against the Machine that references those three vessels (at about 1:30 of the song).
1492
The year in which Columbus—during that first voyage—landed in the Americas. The date was October 12th, and the location is felt by many to be in what is now The Bahamas. Of course, Columbus had been intending a trip to Asia. Regardless, the occurrence would eventually open the floodgates to European exploration of the Western Hemisphere.
500
The approximate number of years between Columbus’ feat and Leif Erikson’s jaunt to what is now Newfoundland around 1000 CE. The Norse explorer is typically credited as being the first European in North America (excluding Greenland). Speculation exists that others could have made such a journey even earlier, including adventurous travelers from China and/or Africa.
50 million
An estimate of the population of the Americas at the time of Columbus’ arrival. Some estimates are lower and others much higher. The European (and African) population would rise over time, and the indigenous population would decline due to conflict and disease.
54
The age of Columbus at the time of his death (in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain).
1934
The year in which Columbus Day became a federal holiday in the US, thanks to Franklin D. Roosevelt. The holiday is currently observed on the second Monday of October.
1989
The year in which South Dakota declared the second Monday in October as Native American Day. Since then, several states and cities have opted to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of or in conjunction with Columbus Day.
0
The number of times Columbus is believed to have set foot in the mainland US. His journeys took him to various Caribbean islands, Central America, and South America. Nonetheless, the American capital (the District of Columbia) and many other locations in the country owe their names to the explorer.
As you absorb these numbers about Christopher Columbus, go ahead and celebrate (question why we celebrate) Columbus Day. Appreciate how the voyage of one man and his team changed (ruined) the course of history. And then be thankful you don’t have to work, unless you do.
2 Responses
Interesting that although there may have been other explorers who touched North America. Christopher Columbus got all the glory. He certainly was a maverick!
It is always interesting to see how history highlights certain figures over others. And yes, to cross the ocean in 1492, you have to have been wired a little differently.