Today in History: Christopher Columbus

The first sight of the new world - Columbus discovering America
Today in History–August 3–the Library of Congress features Christopher Columbus, who set sail for what would later be known as the new world on this day in 1492. Columbus had the most modern maritime tools on his ship, including a mariner’s compass, an astrolabe, a cross-staff, and a quadrant and, quite possibly, the popular mariner map Ptolemy’s Geography or Cosmography. A little more than three months later he set foot on the Bahamian island of Guanahaní (San Salvador). Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to Christopher Columbus and early exploration of the Americas.

Christopher Columbus image set

Christopher Columbus historical newspaper coverage

Christopher Columbus books

Columbus’ Book of Privileges Library of Congress Blog October 13, 2014

Letters of Christopher Columbus scroll down to first item to view

Columbus’ Account of 1492 Voyage University of Maryland

Christopher Columbus march song sheet music

Commemorazione di Cristoforo Colombo marcia march, streaming music

Christopher Columbus film reenactment, 1910

Legislation related to Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus: Man and Myth from 1492: An Ongoing Voyage online exhibition

Columbus and the Taíno Exploring the Early Americas online exhibition

Parallel Histories: Spain, the United States, and the American Frontier collaborative digital library project

Today in History: Columbus Day