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It took enormous courage, determination and financial support to sail West into the complete unknown.  It also took more than a desire to get rich, because there were easier ways to make money.  That additional desire was a passion to spread Christianity to new civilizations.  In 1482, a determined Christian Italian explorer named [[Christopher Columbus]] sought financing to sail west in order to reach India.  He tried Portugal for raising money, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Why would Portugal need Columbus?  Portugal declined to support him, and Columbus turned to Spain, which was now Christian after having driven the Muslims out.  In 1492, Spain funded Columbus' daring proposal to sail West to reach the Orient.   

It took enormous courage, determination and financial support to sail West into the complete unknown.  It also took more than a desire to get rich, because there were easier ways to make money.  That additional desire was a passion to spread Christianity to new civilizations.  In 1482, a determined Christian Italian explorer named [[Christopher Columbus]] sought financing to sail west in order to reach India.  He tried Portugal for raising money, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Why would Portugal need Columbus?  Portugal declined to support him, and Columbus turned to Spain, which was now Christian after having driven the Muslims out.  In 1492, Spain funded Columbus' daring proposal to sail West to reach the Orient.   

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Before we describe this further, however, it is necessary to note that around A.D. 1000, the Scandinavian [[Leif Ericson]] discovered [[Vinland]] where the present [[Newfoundland]] is, and even founded a small colony that ultimately failed.  There appears to be no evidence that they settled further south, in [[New England]]:  "People have been looking hard for hundreds of years and there is no archaeological evidence in this part [New England]— it's certainly possible, the Vikings were incredible boat handlers — '''but there is no evidence'''," observed one university history professor.<ref>http://farshores.org/a04viki.htm</ref>.

Before we describe this further, however, it is necessary to note that around A.D. 1000, the Scandinavian [[Leif Ericson]] discovered [[Vinland]] where the present [[Newfoundland]] is, and even founded a small colony there, although it ultimately failed after probably a few decades of settlement.  There appears to be no evidence that they settled further south, in [[New England]]:  "People have been looking hard for hundreds of years and there is no archaeological evidence in this part [New England]— it's certainly possible, the Vikings were incredible boat handlers — '''but there is no evidence'''," observed one university history professor.<ref>http://farshores.org/a04viki.htm</ref>.

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So back to what Columbus did achieve.  He set sail in three ships.  First sighted land in late 1492. On Christmas eve, December 24, 1492, one of Columbus's ship, the [[Santa Maria]], reached the island of [[Haiti]].  Columbus named the settlement “La Navidad,” meaning “The Nativity,” and dropped off 40 men with a promise to return to them the next year.  Columbus then wrote to the King and Queen of Spain the following in his Journal:  “In all the world there can be no better or gentler people.  Your Highnesses should feel great joy, because presently they will be Christians, and instructed in the good manners of your realms.”

So back to what Columbus did achieve.  He set sail in three ships.  First sighted land in late 1492. On Christmas eve, December 24, 1492, one of Columbus's ship, the [[Santa Maria]], reached the island of [[Haiti]].  Columbus named the settlement “La Navidad,” meaning “The Nativity,” and dropped off 40 men with a promise to return to them the next year.  Columbus then wrote to the King and Queen of Spain the following in his Journal:  “In all the world there can be no better or gentler people.  Your Highnesses should feel great joy, because presently they will be Christians, and instructed in the good manners of your realms.”