This day in history - Oct 12, 2005 - Columbus reaches the Caribbean (1492)

In an attempt to find a westward sea route to Asia, Columbus discovered that lands rich in natural resources lay to the west and could be colonized by European powers. After landing in the Bahamas on his first voyage, he went on to explore modern-day Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and Central America. Spain, which financed his discoveries, became a leading colonial power, with the Dutch, French and English to follow. More...