On This Day

Christopher Columbus, with Juan de la Cosa as second-in-command, sets sail on his first voyage with three ships: Santa M

Christopher Columbus, with Juan de la Cosa as second-in-command, sets sail on his first voyage with three ships: Santa María, Pinta, and Niña from Palos de la Frontera, Spain, for the "Indies"

A letter written by Christopher Columbus on 15 February 1493, is the first known document announcing the completion of his first voyage across the Atlantic, which set out in 1492 and reached the Americas. The letter was ostensibly written by Columbus himself, aboard the caravel Niña, on the return leg of his voyage. A postscript was added upon his arrival in Lisbon on 4 March 1493, and it was probably from there that Columbus dispatched two copies of his letter to the Spanish court.

The letter was instrumental in spreading the news throughout Europe about Columbus's voyage. Almost immediately after Columbus's arrival in Spain, printed versions of the letter began to appear.

Historical Significance

A letter written by Christopher Columbus on 15 February 1493, is the first known document announcing the completion of his first voyage across the Atlantic, which set out in 1492 and reached the Americas.

Key People

Christopher Columbus

navigator and explorer

Italian navigator and explorer

Juan de la Cosa

navigator

Spanish navigator

Events Before

  1. King Charles VIII of France (21) marries Anna Duchess of Brittany (14) giving France control over Brittany

    King Charles VIII of France (21) marries Anna Duchess of Brittany (14) giving France control over Brittany

  2. Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptized by Portuguese missionaries, adopting the baptismal name of João I

    Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptized by Portuguese missionaries, adopting the baptismal name of João I

  3. Opening ceremony of Kyoto's Daitokuji Shinju at the sub-temple

    Opening ceremony of Kyoto's Daitokuji Shinju at the sub-temple

  4. The case of the 'Holy Child of La Guardia', involving the kidnapping and murdering a Christian boy, concludes with publi

    The case of the 'Holy Child of La Guardia', involving the kidnapping and murdering a Christian boy, concludes with public burning at the stake of nine Jews in Ávila, Spain

  5. The siege of Granada, last Moorish stronghold in Spain, begins

    The siege of Granada, last Moorish stronghold in Spain, begins

Events After

  1. Christopher Columbus returns to Spain after his first voyage to the New World

    Christopher Columbus returns to Spain after his first voyage to the New World

  2. Spanish Pope Alexander VI decrees in the papal bull "Inter caetera" that all lands west of a line 100 leagues west of an

    Spanish Pope Alexander VI decrees in the papal bull "Inter caetera" that all lands west of a line 100 leagues west of any of the islands of the Azores or the Cape Verde Islands belong to Castile, ultimately dividing the Americas between Spain and Portugal

  3. Christopher Columbus embarks on his second expedition to the New World, setting sail with a fleet of 17 ships

    Christopher Columbus embarks on his second expedition to the New World, setting sail with a fleet of 17 ships

  4. Christopher Columbus returns to the colony of La Navidad, finding it destroyed by the first Native American uprising aga

    Christopher Columbus returns to the colony of La Navidad, finding it destroyed by the first Native American uprising against Spanish rule. Taíno Cacique Caonabo led his people to attack the settlement after the brutal treatment they received from the garrison who disobeyed Columbus's orders.

  5. Last day for all Jews to leave Sicily

    Jews, or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and Judah. They traditionally adhere to Judaism.

More from the 1490s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 3, 1492?
A letter written by Christopher Columbus on 15 February 1493, is the first known document announcing the completion of his first voyage across the Atlantic, which set out in 1492 and reached the Americas. The letter was ostensibly written by Columbus himself, aboard the caravel Niña, on the return leg of his voyage. A postscript was added upon his arrival in Lisbon on 4 March 1493, and it was probably from there that Columbus dispatched two copies of his letter to the Spanish court.
Why is Christopher Columbus, with Juan de la Cosa as second-in-command, sets sail on... significant?
A letter written by Christopher Columbus on 15 February 1493, is the first known document announcing the completion of his first voyage across the Atlantic, which set out in 1492 and reached the Americas.
Who was involved in Christopher Columbus, with Juan de la Cosa as second-in-command, sets sail on...?
Key figures include Christopher Columbus (navigator and explorer), Juan de la Cosa (navigator).

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