Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas on October 12, 1492. His arrival marked a pivotal moment in world history, initiating widespread European exploration and colonization of the continent. Columbus, sponsored by Spain, sought a westward route to Asia but instead encountered the islands of the Caribbean, which he erroneously believed were part of Asia. This event significantly altered the course of history, leading to the exchange of goods, cultures, and populations—often referred to as the Columbian Exchange—and set the stage for the eventual conquest and colonization of the Americas.