Profile of the Day: Christopher Columbus
Today is Columbus Day in the U.S. Established as a federal holiday in 1937, the day commemorates Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World in 1492.
Columbus set sail from Spain across the Atlantic with his ships, the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Although not the first to arrive to the American continent, Columbus’ expeditions played a significant role in Spain’s colonization of the New World.
Celebration of the holiday has changed over time. Many cities today recognize the day as Indigenous People’s Day, in commemoration of the history of Native Americans and to promote Native American cultures.
Christopher Columbus is connected to over 95 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?
View Christopher Columbus’ Geni Profile
Image: Wikimedia Commons