Lasting Legacy of Christopher Columbus: A Look at the Influence on History

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Christopher Columbus—a timeline of influence.

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer and navigator, completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean under the Spanish flag. These voyages initiated widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Columbus's expeditions marked the first documented European contact with the Caribbean and Central and South America, paving the way for significant cultural exchange and historical transformation.

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Full Timeline Legacy & Impact

1909: Chapel dismantled and moved to Pennsylvania

In 1909, a 16th-century chapel from a Spanish castle reputedly owned by Diego Colón, was dismantled and moved from Spain to the Boal estate at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.

1913: Suggestion to travel remains through Panama Canal

In 1913, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Eugene Osborne suggested that the discovered remains, believed to be Columbus's, travel through the Panama Canal as part of its opening ceremony.

1951: Boal Mansion Museum founded

In 1951, the Boal Mansion Museum was founded containing a collection of materials concerning later descendants of Columbus and collateral branches of the family.

1960: O'Gorman rejects Columbus discovery myth

In his 1960 monograph, Mexican philosopher and historian Edmundo O'Gorman explicitly rejects the Columbus discovery myth, arguing that the idea that Columbus discovered America was a misleading legend.

1992: Debate over the term "discovery"

In 1992, Félix Fernández-Shaw argued that the word "discovery" prioritizes European explorers and suggested that the word "encounter" is more appropriate when describing Columbus's arrival to America.

1992: Columbus Quincentenary

In 1992, for the Columbus Quincentenary, a second Columbian issue was released jointly with Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Columbus was also celebrated at Seville Expo '92, and Genoa Expo '92.

1992: Relocation to Columbus Lighthouse

In 1992, the remains believed to be Christopher Columbus's were moved to the Columbus Lighthouse in Santo Domingo Este.

June 2003: DNA samples taken from remains

In June 2003, DNA samples were taken from remains in Seville, as well as Columbus's brother and son, to verify the remains authenticity. Initial observations suggested that the bones did not appear to match Columbus's physique or age at death, however subsequent DNA and historical analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Christopher Columbus.

2006: Publication about Columbus's seizure

In 2006, Isabel Aguirre and Consuelo Varela published their book, La caída de Cristóbal Colón: el juicio de Bobadilla (The fall of Christopher Colón: the judgement of Bobadilla), based on the discovery of an incomplete copy of testimonies against Columbus and his brother Bartholomew gathered in 1500.

2017: Donation of Columbus's letter copies

In 2017, the Jay I. Kislak Foundation donated the two earliest published copies of Christopher Columbus's letter on the first voyage aboard the Niña to the University of Miami library in Coral Gables, Florida, where they are now housed.

2020: Removal of Columbus monuments

In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, many public monuments of Christopher Columbus were removed due to protests and riots.

2020: Genetic analysis of Hispaniola's pre-Columbian population

In late 2020, genetic analysis suggested that the pre-Columbian population of Hispaniola was likely lower than previously estimated, perhaps as low as 10,000-50,000 for Hispaniola and Puerto Rico combined.