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1492: Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain.On this day Christopher Columbus sailed from Palos, Spain, with three small ships—the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. The explorer was searching for a westward route to India. His navigational genius showed itself immediately, as his fleet dropped down to the Canary Islands, off the northwest African mainland, rather than sailing due west to the Azores. The westerlies prevailing in the Azores had defeated previous sailors to the west, but in the Canaries they could pick up the northeast trade winds, trusting to the westerlies for their return.More events on this day1960:The Republic of Niger gained its independence from France. |
1958:The atomic submarine Nautilus passed beneath the thick ice cap of the North Pole, an unprecedented feat. |
1949:The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed by the merger of the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America. |
1940:Lithuania was “accepted” into the U.S.S.R. following the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states. |
1924:English novelist and short-story author Joseph Conrad died in Canterbury, Kent, England. |
1914:Germany declared war on France in World War I. |
1583:English navigator Sir Humphrey Gilbert arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland, and claimed it in the name of the queen. |
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