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Christopher Colombus was one of many explorers from Europe whose travels have made a lasting impact on the world. Although he was not the first European to reach America, he was the first to establish a permanent connection between America and Europe.

Colombus began his first voyages at sea as a teenager, taking part in many trading expeditions. These routes by sea went many places, except for China and India. These places, which the Europeans called "the Indies" could only be reached by travelling on land, but the trip was long and dangerous. Colombus decided to find a quicker and safer way to get there by ship. He decided he would sail west, around the globe, until he reached the indies.

Colombus took his ideas to several kings asking them for help to carry out his plan. After several rejections, finally King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to fund his voyage.

With the help of Spain, Colombus set sail across the atlantic with three ships. These ships were called the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria which Colombus rode on. The ships sailed for 36 days before reaching land.

In 1942, Colombus and his crew landed in what is now the Bahamas. However, Colombus believed he had reached the Indies, so he called the people he found there Indians. He traded with the native peoples that he encountered, establishing a lasting trade between he "Old World" of Europe and the "New World" or North America.