The year 1492 is significant primarily for Christopher Columbus's voyage, which led to the European discovery of the Americas. Sponsored by Spain, Columbus set sail in August and reached the Bahamas in October. This event marked the beginning of extensive European exploration and colonization in the New World, significantly altering the course of history, economics, and cultures around the globe. It also initiated complex interactions between Europeans, Indigenous peoples, and the transatlantic slave trade, profoundly impacting both continents for centuries to come. The year is often referenced as a turning point in world history, symbolizing both discovery and conquest.