One key event during the Age of Exploration and Colonization in the 15th century was the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492. This event, sponsored by Spain, marked the beginning of extensive European exploration and subsequent colonization of the New World. It led to the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas, known as the Columbian Exchange, dramatically altering the course of history for both Europe and the indigenous populations of the Americas. This period also contributed to the emergence of global trade networks and set the stage for later conflicts and colonization efforts by multiple European powers.