Christopher Columbus sailed for Spain and is credited with discovering the Americas in 1492. Commissioned by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Columbus set out on his voyage seeking a new route to Asia. Instead, he landed in the Bahamas, believing he had found a new route to India. Columbus's voyages opened the door to the widespread exploration and eventual colonization of the Americas by European powers. While his arrival is often celebrated for its historical significance, it also initiated a period of exploitation and violence against indigenous peoples, fundamentally altering the course of history on two continents.