Illustration christopher columbus fleet spain 1492

Timeline

  • The journey begins
    Aug 3, 1492

    The journey begins

    Columbus sets sail from Palos de la Frontera,Huelva,with three ships
  • Stop at the Canary Islands
    Aug 12, 1492

    Stop at the Canary Islands

    The expedition stops at the Canary Islands for supplies and ship repairs.
  • Sailing west
    Sep 6, 1492

    Sailing west

    They depart from the Canary Islands, heading west.
  • Trouble on the ship
    Oct 10, 1492

    Trouble on the ship

    The sailors threaten to mutiny due to the prolonged journey without sight of land.
  • Land ahead!
    Oct 12, 1492

    Land ahead!

    Rodrigo de Triana spots land on the island of Guanahaní (Bahamas), which Columbus names San Salvador.
  • Columbus arrives in Cuba
    Oct 28, 1492

    Columbus arrives in Cuba

    Columbus arrives in Cuba and names it "Juana," believing it to be part of mainland Asia.
  • Meeting the Taínos
    Dec 6, 1492

    Meeting the Taínos

    The expedition reaches Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), where they encounter the Taíno people.
  • Building La Navidad
    Dec 25, 1492

    Building La Navidad

    The settlement of La Navidad is established using the remains of the Santa María.
  • Back to Spain
    1493

    Back to Spain

    The Niña and the Pinta set sail back to Spain, leaving about 40 crew members behind in Hispaniola.
  • News of the discovery
    Mar 15, 1493

    News of the discovery

    The Niña arrives in Palos de la Frontera with news of the discovery, followed shortly by the Pinta