1451…

Christopher Columbus was born in on August 31,1451 in Genoa Italy. His mother and father were wool weavers, but ever since he could walk to the docks Columbus always had a fascination for the sea and ships. He used to spend every hour of his spare time watching the ships sailing in and out of the harbor.

1464…

At fourteen, he finally got to go on a ship under a captain named Errore. He sailed to England, Ireland, and Morocco. He made many more voyages all over the world - to Marseille, to Tunis, to Chios the Greek island. He also captured the ship Fernandia in 1472, served under Prince Rene of Anjou as a privateer, and fought enemy countries with the great admiral Columbo the Younger.

1476…

While he was sailing home from a voyage to Bristoll, England and Galway, Ireland in August 1476, his ship was attacked by pirates. All of his crew were killed by cannonballs and pirate weapons. He personally fought until his sword arm was wounded. He jumped overboard and was forced to swim ashore clinging to a wooden beam. When he was on land he found himself in a country called Portugal and went to its capitol city of Lisbon where his brother owned a map making shop. He became a cartographer but also remained a sailor.

1479…

He met his wife Felipa in church. They fell in love but Felipa’s father forbade them to get married on the grounds that Christopher was a foreigner of low birth, and such a man could not wed his daughter. However, Felipa escaped to Christopher’s house in the dead of night, and they got married in secret. By the time her father found out it was too late. They had a son named Diego.

1483…

After a voyage to West Africa, Columbus began speculating on the shape of the world. Everyone at the time, except for the wisest scholars believed the world was flat. Columbus wrote down all of this evidence and went to the king of Portugal. The reason he was so committed to this idea of a round world was that in 1453 the Turks had captured Constantinople and blocked off the Silk Road, which was a trade route to the east. Columbus went before King Joao of Portugal. The king refused him on the grounds that he thought if the world was round, men would stand on their heads and trees would grow upside down on the other side of the world. But Columbus was determined. He went to plead to King Joao a second time. The king pretended to listen to Columbus’ plan but when he floated the idea to his advisors, they agreed to send a ship out. The ship encountered vicious storms and was soon forced to turn back to Portugal. The ship’s captain lied and said that he had seen the edge of the world.

1485…

Disappointed and angered by this, Columbus with his wife Felipa and five-year-old son Diego traveled to Spain. They were on their way when bandits attacked them. Felipa’s horse reared, causing her to fall and break her neck. Columbus charged towards the bandits and slew them both with a single stroke of his sword. He used the last of his wealth to purchase a decent funeral for Dona Felipa.

Columbus and his son grew so poor that they often had to beg for food. One evening, they came across a sheltered convent known as La Rabida. The monks gave him and his son enough food to satisfy them. The friar Juan Perez asked where they were going. Columbus was unnerved by this and stated they were going to Spain to seek help for their explorations.

The friar wrote a letter to the duke of Medina-Celli and he arranged for Columbus to see the queen. The queen told him they were glad to see him but could not consent to his demands just yet. Columbus offered his services for the war but the queen was doubtful so she hired the best swordsman in Spain to fight him. They fought for many minutes but couldn’t reach a climax. Queen Isabella recruited Columbus for the war. Columbus fought in many battles.

1488…

But war is hell. And he was disgusted by his actions. While on leave, he met a beautiful woman named Beatriz. They were married in 1488 and had a son called Ferdinand. But still the war raged on. Finally, on January 2, 1492 in Granada, the moorish king surrendered. Now Columbus had plenty of time to see Queen Isabella.

1492…

Queen Isabella organized a council to hear out Columbus’ plan. Columbus stated all the proof he had about the roundness of the earth. The committee laughed at his ideas, dismissing them as mere illusion. One council member named De Talavera suggested that it was impossible to sail west if the world was round due to the roundness of the earth preventing Columbus from traveling back. But Columbus never gave up. He continually lobbied the Spanish court until one day De Talavera forced Columbus to leave by lying to him, misleading him to believe he would be arrested if he stayed.

As he was riding away, a messenger rode up saying that Queen Isabella had finally consented to fund his idea. He went back to the court and on April 17, 1492. They drew up a list of agreements, which Columbus signed himself. They also hired a servant named Diego De Arana to be Columbus’ martial of the fleet and convinced the two best sailors in Spain - Martin Allonzo Pinzon and his brother Vicente - to volunteer their services.

So Columbus went to the Port of Palos where the finest sailors in Spain were rumored to be. The blast to the trumpet called them into the square and the herald read out the procolamation was to loan three ships and ninety men to sail west with him. The sailors laughed at Columbus and told stories of boiling seas, sea monsters, and the sea of darkness - an abysmal apparition which caused a black cloud to obscure the sun. And they sailed on into nothingness.

Columbus rebuked them for their fears. Finally a brave cabin boy ventured forward and told him he would gladly accept Columbus offer to sail into unknown waters. Columbus agreed. While wandering around the town of Palos searching for men who might go with him, he came upon a pickpocket who was so poor that the end of the earth seemed more appealing than his life. And a lover and painter named Diego who journeyed with Columbus only to escape the amount of husbands who wanted him dead. Finally they came up on Martin and Vicente Pinzon who had a difficult time recruiting their crew. Columbus went before them and convinced them of the riches of the orient. They agreed to sign up. Ninety men agreed to sail with him altogether, and with the addition of some royal dignitaries the total amount of men added up to one hundred twenty.

As they were loading the ships, a sailor spotted a dark skinned native in a canoe and ran eagerly to tell Columbus. Columbus looked at it as a sign of the round world. But the sailors looked upon it as an evil omen. But finally, all the ships were loaded. On August 3, 1492 Columbus woke up when it was still dark outside and went to the local church where Juan Perez blessed their expedition and gave the benediction. Columbus boarded their ships and as dawn broke, they set sail.

Trouble started almost immediately. The Pinta’s rudder was broken so they had to pull into the Canary Islands. While they were in the Canary Islands, they witnessed a volcano erupt. The sailors were terrified and prayed to god and wept. But Columbus assured them that they were in no danger because he had seen other volcanoes erupt during this stay in Iceland. On September 6th, they finally set sail.

On September 11th, a meteor fell across the sky and the men thought it was a bad omen. Then they came across a great clump of seaweed. They were afraid that the seaweed might entangle their ships and drag them down underwater, but Columbus assured them that the “sea of grass” before them only stuck to the top of the water.

On September 19th, the compass started behaving in a strange manner. The sailors thought it was the devil controlling their course, telling them to turn back and head for home. But Columbus told them that the North Star had moved, not the compass needle. In reality, he didn’t know why the needle was acting that way. But the men’s moral grew worse. On October 10th they congressed against Columbus. Columbus told them to be patient and look out for land, but the sailors didn’t believe him. Failing that, he told them that he would continue on his course.

But the sailors’ moral grew so bad that on October 12th, they seized the arms chest and proceeded to Columbus’ cabin. Columbus was enraged but when the sailors told him to turn back, his answer was negative. The sailors attacked him and though he tried to fend them off they broke his weapon and grabbed him by the arms and legs and prepared to toss him overboard. But just then, a gunshot from the Pinta and the cry “Tierra a la vista!” notified them of land. The sailors scrambled to the edge and witnessed the beautiful green coast. They begged forgiveness from Columbus, who gladly granted it. At dawn they rode ashore in rowboats. Once on the shore they gave thanks to God. Then Columbus claimed the land for Spain and named it San Salvador.

The natives who lived on the island came out to look at the white men. Columbus called them Indians because he thought he was in India, and because of how they appeared. They gave him spears, parrots, and balls of cotton. Columbus gave them glass beads and many hawk’s bells. The sailors spent two days in this warm, tropical paradise. Then on October 14th, they sailed away to other islands naming them Fernandia and Isabella in honor of Spain’s king and queen. Then they came upon an island called Cuba, which Columbus renamed Juana after the Little prince of Spain. It was rich in spices and gold.

One day when they were voyaging around Cuba, Captain Martin Pinzon heard of another island called Barbeque, which was teeming with gold. So he sailed in that direction. Columbus was disappointed that Martin Alonzo Pinzon had left him, but he continued to sail for another island which had even more gold than Cuba. He landed on it and named it Hispaniola, claiming it for Spain as he did for all the other islands he had discovered.

He remained on Hisponola for an extended time where he bartered traded goods for gold. On Christmas Eve, for they had spent a long time on Cuba the helmsmen tried to get a wink of sleep and left the tiller in charge of a mere boy. The boy easily lost consciousness and fell asleep. The Santa Maria rand a ground and Columbus’s sailors were forced to leave the ship. Columbus forgave the tiller boy and ordered the helmsman to be lacked in the Nina’s brig. After that, on Christmas Day, the timer from the Santa Maria was converted into a fort. The Indians helped, and after the fort was completed a flag poll was set up. One of the ship’s boys beat a drum as the flag was raised.

When the flag was at its highest the soldiers all open fires with their matchlock muskets. The Indians were terrified but Columbus asked them if they were suffering from attacks by the Caribs. He had learned about the Caribs from the Indians at San Salvador. They had cuts and scars and wounds and bruises all over them. Columbus asked why and the Indias had told him about the Caribs. It that seemed that the natives of this island were facing the same trouble too. So Columbus had his men stage a mock battle. The chief was very impressed. So Columbus ordered 39 men to stay behind to establish a colony. He traveled along the island of Hispaniola trading with the natives. But on one occasion, a confrontation between Columbus and the natives turned violent. The natives he met had spears, bows, arrows, and wooden swards that could cleave a man to the brain. The natives attacked Columbus, but after two were wounded, one with a slash on the butt and the other with an arrow wound, they retreated. After trading with the tribes some more, Columbus turned around and headed for home. He took with him home a few natives to show to the king and queen of Spain.

On the way, Pinzon caught up with Columbus on the Nina. Columbus was disappointed in Pinzon but happy be was back. Afterwards, they encountered vicious storms that drove them into the port in Lisbon. While attempting to pray, ten sailors were arrested. But Columbus sneaked into jail, liberated them, and cut down any guard who tried to stop him. The king of Portugal was very angry about this. But when Columbus threatened war with Spain, Portugal backed down. After telling of the wonders he had discovered, like tobacco leaves, nets called hammocks for sleeping, a curious substance called rubber, and a funny lizard called an iguana.

1493…

After Columbus told of his adventures, he finally set sail for home. When he arrived in Palos on March 15, the reception was jubilant and enthusiastic. Captain Erroie and his father, though old men, joyfully received him. After which, there was a great parade to the royal palace of Alhambra. After recounting his adventures, Queen Isabella knighted him and bestowed upon him the titles of Admiral of the Ocean Seas and Viceroy of the New Indies.

Then there was a great feast, where men praised Columbus or talked of the riches of the New World. But in the midst of all this, an arrogant man challenged him. The man’s name was Francisco de Bobadilla, a royal envoy of their majesties. He said that they would have found a new route to India anyway and that it was bound to happen. Columbus was angry but kept his manner calm. He challenged each of the guests to stand an egg upright. They all tried and failed, but Columbus succeeded by flattening the egg on its shell. He then explained that anyone could do it, anyone could accomplish anything, once someone else has done it.

Columbus went on the beautiful balcony looking over the Alhambra and gazed at the moon. The King and Queen joined him, along with the Prince and Princess. The princess wondered if they would ever go to the moon. Columbus denied it, but Queen Isabella said that maybe they could do it. Then they went to sleep. But all night long, Columbus and the moon stared at each other with solum and unblinking eyes.

The next day, preparations for a second voyage to the New World began. All the time that Columbus was preparing, he was attacked by assassins. This time it was easy to hire men, since all dreamed of riches in a new world. Eventually, the total number of people on the ship came to 50 knights, some soldiers, some colonists, and individuals involved in peaceful trade, along with a few more men and a few women. The round total was 1,500. Columbus also brought his oldest son and wife, Beatrice.

They eventually started sailing on September 23, 1493. They took along with them strange animals, such as horses, sheep, and pigs. The loud blast of the trumpet and cannon shot echoed. That was the signal to set sail. So they did. They faced no storms on the way, but soon came upon two islands. One of them became the Virgin Islands. The other Island became Puerto Rico.

But on one of these Islands called Guatelupe, there was a fierce tribe of Caribs, and they were feasting on Taíno prisoners. He remembered what Captain Eerroie had told him about respecting other people’s cultures and the morals of the time period. But he also remembered Queen Isabella's orders to treat the Taíno well and her extreme displeasure upon learning that Columbus had let the Taíno be slaughtered. So he ordered his men to charge into the Carib camp and rescue the Taíno prisoners. They did it and killed whoever tried to stop them.

So, Columbus sailed back to Hispanola and a fort, which he had named La Navidad, in honor of the shipwreck on Christmas. Upon arriving there, they found the settlement burnt to the ground and all 39 men dead. A Taíno leader informed him that the men had gone to seek gold in the territory of the fierce war chief called Canibo. Columbus attacked Canibo and slew 39 of his men, too. Then he proceeded with the makings of a settlement. The soldiers, knights, and commoners worked hard, but the noblemen refused. They had been expected to dig for gold, not build a settlement. But eventually, the settlement was complete.

Then Columbus began exploring. He explored the backside of Cuba, discovering Jamaica and many smaller islands. When he returned, he found a wicked soldier named Pedro Margarit. Margarit had begun slaughtering, raping, and torturing the Taíno. Columbus, with a smaller band of men, attacked Pedro and defeated him. Then came another attack by a vicious band of Caribs. But they were driven away thanks to muskin and crossbow fire. Then came a third attack. The Indians of Canibo attacked Columbus on the Vegal Real. Columbus, thanks to his horses and superiority, soundly defeated him and routed his forces.

1496…

Then came a rebellion by Juan Raverra. He was angry that a commoner from Ganose was in command of the Spaniards. Luckily, his rebellion was crushed. Then an attack by canbos forces happened. Columbus routed them with the aid of his calvary of knights. Finally a vicious hurricane came upon the settlement. Houses were torn down, ships sank, and the settlement was almost destroyed. Finally another rebellion happened. This one was by Miguel Ramirez. This rebellion was also defeated. Finally Columbus sailed back on June 11, 1496, to make his report to the queen. On their way, he attacked the Carbis and forced them to give up cannibalism, or else they would kill all of them.

Columbus made it back to Spain, where he made his report and found little gold. While he was in Spain, many assassins came after him and tried to kill him. But he fended all of them off. The assassins were sent by jealous men who wanted Columbus dead because they believed a foreigner should not be in command of Spaniards.

1498…

On his third voyage, which set out on May 30, 1498, he discovered Venezuela in South America. He also discovered Trinidad, Tebago, and Granada. Venezuela was so lovely he thought it was like the garden of Eden. Then he sailed home but he found rebellion brewing on the island. The leader was Francisco Rodan. Columbus organized a strategy. He had the musketeers and archers position themselves on the flanks and open fire, decimating Rodan’s forces. Then they began to fight viciously. Columbus defeated Rodan with his superior sword skills.

1499…

Then another rebellion occurred in 1499 under Adrian de Moxica. That rebellion was crushed also. By then the enemies of Columbus were getting desperate. Every assassination attempt at home and every rebellion on Hispaniola was a failure. So they sailed home and accused Columbus of every crime they could think of. Much of what they said is used by modern people today to vilify Columbus.

Queen Isabella was so concerned with these reports that she sent Francisco de Bobadilla to see what was wrong. But Bobadillia had no intention of investigating these reports. He only cared about arresting Columbus. Once he was there, he ordered Columbus to be clapped in irons and hauled aboard ship. Once Columbus saw him, Bobadillia accused him of such vile crimes that even some of the people that hated him were shocked and horrified. He brought Columbus aboard his ship and travelled back to Spain.

The captain was so distraught that he ordered Columbus’ chains be removed as they got under sail. Columbus refused, stating that he should wear these chains until Queen Isabella herself ordered they be taken off. So they sailed back home. Upon arriving, the Spaniards were horrified as Columbus walked to the front of the Alhambra Palace in chains. Queen Isabella was so horrified that she ordered Columbus’ chains removed, but she knew her duty. So a trial was organized for Columbus.

Luckily, many of the men who liked Columbus and even some who hated him were there to testify. Due to their testimonies, Columbus was set free. Then Columbus waited a year before his fourth journey could begin.

1502…

On this fourth trip, he took his brothers as well as his youngest son Ferninad. He discovered Central America. He met the Mayans and just as he was sailing for home, a storm blew in and shipwrecked his vessel on Jamaica. While there, the local natives provided them with food, but then two wicked brothers called the Pooraz brothers stole food, Columbus ordered them to give back the food. They refused and attacked Columbus. After a great battle, the mutiny was quelled.

Columbus returned the food to the natives, but their trust in them was shaken. They refused to provide any food, but then Columbus predicted an eclipse. Columbus told the chiefs that he would blot out the moon. As the eclipse happened, Columbus swirled his hands around looking magical. The native chiefs ran out and gave their food to the hungry men after seeing this. Then Columbus sent a sailor named Diego Mendez over to ask for ships from Governor Olvando. Columbus had warned him of the storm but he had decided to sail through it, which caused many of his ships to sink. Olvando sent a ship to take Columbus to Santo Domingo in Hispaniola. While there, Columbus saw a grizzly sight - Olvando had issued a tax of gold to be placed up on the natives. If a native didn’t pay as much gold as Olvando wanted, he had his hand chopped off. Olvando forced the natives in to slavery. They made poor slaves and died easily, but he refused to do anything about it. Under Olvand'o’s orders, hundreds of thousands of natives were massacred.

Upon seeing this, Columbus grew angered. He began fighting back agains this evil oppression. The rescued Tainos from being massacred and enslaved, and liberated them from having their hands chopped off. Olvando grew so angry that he invited Columbus to his mansion to have a duel. As Columbus went into the mansion, he saw Olvando. They dueled but as Columbus was about to deliver the final blow, despite his being older than Olvando, he had more skill. Guards charged into the room, pointed crossbows and muskets at Columbus and arrested him. Kind Ferdinand pardoned Columbus but refused to do anything about Olvando.

1504…

On November 24, 1504 Queen Isabella died. Columbus was distraught. He spend two years trying to regain his old titles back. He penend his autobiography so that everyone would know the truth. But the autobiography was stolen.

1506…

Columbus died on May 20th, 1506 in Valladolid, still convinced he has reached Asia. He never knew that he had discovered a new world.