Christopher Columbus is often credited with discovering America in 1492. Sailing under the Spanish flag, Columbus aimed to find a western route to Asia but instead landed in the Bahamas, initiating European exploration of the Americas. His voyages marked the beginning of significant cultural exchanges and the subsequent colonization of North America. However, it’s essential to recognize that indigenous peoples had already inhabited the continent for thousands of years prior to Columbus’s arrival. His exploration led to profound and lasting impacts on history, prompting shifts in economic and political power across Europe and the Americas.