Today in History: Christopher Columbus
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
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