European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 11, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Column ult pictured of a Conquistador la f to Foo no Pallia Flewm Bau in Genoa discovering Story illustrations by Alba braqol1 Mediterranean Bureau n fourteen Hundred Ninel iwo. Columbus sailed the Ocean Back in the not so Distant past nearly All american kids had to learn that memory Aid. Evidently Lew do nowadays for according to a recent Survey one Oul of three . Students did not know that Christopher Columbus landed before 1750," l a Correct answer in a Mulli Plo Choice test. On monday oct. 12, Columbus Day celebrations will Mark the beginning of a five year countdown to the 5001h anniversary of Columbus discovery of America. The Holiday makes one wonder just How much people know about he opening up of the new world and the daring Man who basically brought it about who really discovered America for a Long Lime the dispute entered around whether it was Christopher Columbus the renowned italian navigator or Lell Erickson. The Viking who Likely landed on the continent five centuries earlier. New theories regarding America s discovery regularly crop up and the list of tha supposed discoverers gels longer arabs chinese phoenicians hindus. Japanese basques jews turks. Irish germans and africans All stake claims at being the first to have landed on America s shores. Ii does t really matter whether Columbus was the first to discover America. His unique role lies in the fact hat unlike those who Mien have preceded him. Columbus set in motion an unparalleled process of Conquest colonization and migration. According to popular belief Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa Nlaly in 1451, where the House he is said to have lived in now dwarfed by modern skyscrapers still stands. His father was in the Wool Trade and it is Likely that ii was his father s business travels thai initiated Young Christopher in the ways of the sea. Far from being a Lucky traveler who by Chance became a great discoverer Columbus conceived his bold idea of discover while sharpening his Fonn liable seafaring skills on Many voyages along the coasts of Africa. His plan was to reach India by sailing Westward across the Atlantic Ocean he thought thai route would lop Many Miles of the traditional eastward Trade route to India. Columbus Tat out to secure backing for Hie planned voyage but for Many months he met Only with scepticism refusal and ridicule. He eventually managed to aquire three ships irom the sovereigns of Spain by charming hem with promises of earthly and heavenly rewards. At Dawn on aug. 3,1492, Columbus finally set sail the voyage was harrowing but his perseverance and courage finally proved successful. On oct. 12,1492, san Salvador was sighted and the Atlantic Ocean was forever bridged. Lilluet known of the ships Columbus used on his first voyage. Most Likely the Nina and the Pinte were Carave Iles fast slim vessel while the Santa Maria was a heftier Caracas a slower ship with Paunchy sides. The ships had a combined Crew of about 120 men. After exploring islands in the Caribbean Columbus Tia fwd wed Istuan navigator lighting on Ita. Page 14 the stars and stripes sunday of
