Show COLUMBUS DAY columbus day october 12 now observed in most states this year marks the anniversary of the discovery of america by christopher columbus which opened a new world to settlement and exploitation the story of columbus is one of the most romantic as well as one of the most tragic in all history born in genoa about the year 1436 the date being uncertain he was the son of a wool comber he received some instruction in science and navigation at the uni erdity of pava and went to sea at the age of 14 during the next few years he visited most of the orts of the then known world about 1470 he began to meditate on the possibility lity of reaching asia by sailing westward having become convinced of the spherical shape of the earth desiring to lead an expedition of exploration he appealed in vain to the rulers of genoa portugal and england and finally to ferdinand and isabella of spain after many heartbreaking rebuffs and delays queen isabella at last was instrumental in financing the voyage with three small ships the santa maria 50 men 30 men and nina 24 benr which sailed from palos on august 3 1492 during the voyage fears of the sailors nearly caused mutiny at times but columbus kept them in hand and on october 12 1492 was rewarded by the sight of land which proved to be an island probably one of the bahama group attempts at colonization and other voyages followed but dissatisfaction with the rule of columbus resulted in his being sent back to spain in chains although he was permitted to make his fourth and last voyage after that he was neaver restored to his rights and he died a broken and forsaken man on may 20 1506 at Vallado hd spain but his remains were still to cross the atlantic again and return he was buried at seville spain then his body was removed to san domingo haiti in 1642 to havana cuba in 1795 and finally back to seville in 1898 columbus day was first observed in colorado but largely through of the knights of columbus its observance has become widespread throughout the united states |