10 Things You May Not Know About Christopher Columbus
Check out 10 things you may not know about the explorer who sailed the ocean blue in 1492. 1. Columbus didn’t set out to prove the earth was round. Forget those myths perpetuated by everyone from Washington Irving to Bugs Bunny. There was no need for Columbus to debunk the flat-earthers—the ancient Greeks had already done so. As early as the sixth century B.C., the Greek mathematician Pythagoras surmised the world was round, and two centuries later Aristotle backed him up with astronomical observations. By 1492 most educated people knew the planet was not shaped like a pancake. 2. Columbus was likely not the first European to cross the Atlantic Ocean. That distinction is generally given to the Norse Viking Leif Eriksson, who is believed to have landed in present-day Newfoundland around 1000 A.D., almost five centuries before Columbus set sail. Some historians even claim that Ireland’s Saint Brendan or other Celtic people crossed the Atlantic before Eriksson. While the United States commemorates Columbus—even though he never set foot on the North American mainland—with parades and a federal holiday, Leif Eriksson Day on October 9 receives little fanfare. 3. Three countries refused to back Columbus’ voyage. For nearly a decade, Columbus lobbied European monarchies to bankroll his quest to discover a western sea route to Asia. In Portugal, England and France, the response was the same: no. The experts told Columbus his calculations were wrong and that the voyage would take much longer than he thought. Royal advisors in Spain raised similar concerns to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Turns out the naysayers were right. Columbus dramatically underestimated the earth’s circumference and the size of the oceans. Luckily for him, he ran into the uncharted Americas. 4. Nina and Pinta were not the actual names of two of Columbus’ three ships. In 15th-century Spain, ships were traditionally named after saints. Salty sailors, however, bestowed less-than-sacred nicknames upon their vessels. Mariners dubbed one of the three ships on Columbus’s 1492 voyage the Pinta, Spanish for “the painted one” or “prostitute.” The Santa Clara, meanwhile, was nicknamed the Nina in honor of its owner, Juan Nino. Although the Santa Maria is called by its official name, its nickname was La Gallega, after the province of Galicia in which it was built. 5. The Santa Maria wrecked on Columbus’ historic voyage. On Christmas Eve of 1492, a cabin boy ran Columbus’s flagship into a coral reef on the northern coast of Hispaniola, near present-day Cap Haitien, Haiti. Its crew spent a very un-merry Christmas salvaging the Santa Maria’s cargo. Columbus returned to Spain aboard the Nina, but he had to leave nearly 40 crewmembers behind to start the first European settlement in the Americas—La Navidad. When Columbus returned to the settlement in the fall of 1493, none of the crew were found alive. 6. Columbus made four voyages to the New World. Although best known for his historic 1492 expedition, Columbus returned to the Americas three more times in the following decade. His voyages took him to Caribbean islands, South America and Central America. 7. Columbus returned to Spain in chains in 1500. Columbus’s governance of Hispaniola could be brutal and tyrannical. Native islanders who didn’t collect enough gold could have their hands cut off, and rebel Spanish colonists were executed at the gallows. Colonists complained to the monarchy about mismanagement, and a royal commissioner dispatched to Hispaniola arrested Columbus in August 1500 and brought him back to Spain in chains. Although Columbus was stripped of his governorship, King Ferdinand not only granted the explorer his freedom but subsidized a fourth voyage. 8. A lunar eclipse may have saved Columbus. In February 1504, a desperate Columbus was stranded in Jamaica, abandoned by half his crew and denied food by the islanders. The heavens that he relied on for navigation, however, would guide him safely once again. Knowing from his almanac that a lunar eclipse was coming on February 29, 1504, Columbus warned the islanders that his god was upset with their refusal of food and that the moon would “rise inflamed with wrath” as an expression of divine displeasure. On the appointed night, the eclipse darkened the moon and turned it red, and the terrified islanders offered provisions and beseeched Columbus to ask his god for mercy. 9. Even in death, Columbus continued to cross the Atlantic. Following his death in 1506, Columbus was buried in Valladolid, Spain, and then moved to Seville. At the request of his daughter-in-law, the bodies of Columbus and his son Diego were shipped across the Atlantic to Hispaniola and interred in a Santo Domingo cathedral. When the French captured the island in 1795, the Spanish dug up remains thought to be those of the explorer and moved them to Cuba before returning them to Seville after the Spanish-American War in 1898. However, a box with human remains and the explorer’s name was discovered inside the Santo Domingo cathedral in 1877. Did the Spaniards exhume the wrong body? DNA testing in 2006 found evidence that at least some of the remains in Seville are those of Columbus. The Dominican Republic has refused to let the other remains be tested. It could be possible that, aptly, pieces of Columbus are both in the New World and the Old World. 10. Heirs of Columbus and the Spanish monarchy were in litigation until 1790. After the death of Columbus, his heirs waged a lengthy legal battle with the Spanish crown, claiming that the monarchy short-changed them on money and profits due the explorer. Most of the Columbian lawsuits were settled by 1536, but the legal proceedings nearly dragged on until the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ famous voyage. BY CHRISTOPHER KLEIN
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Please be sure to review our community guidelines before commenting. Thank you! 15 Things About Lake CharlesLake Charles mixes small town charm, exciting nightlife and outdoor adventure into a combination that will have you packing before you finish reading this list.
1. This Town Doesn't Stay DownLake Charles has been around for centuries, but it's the town that almost wasn't after a devastatingfire back in 1910. But these people are made of strong stuff. They rebuilt and bounced right back. Now the city is a booming industrial educational center. 2. Who Needs Vegas When You Have Lake Charles? With three major casinos in the city (and a fourth opening this year), your gambling itch will be more than satisfied. And we aren't talking truck-stop penny machines. 3. Lake Charles Has ALL The Golf Southwest Louisiana has a total of six public courses for fulfilling all of your ESPN-fantasy needs. There are also a handful of family putt-putt courses for everyone else. 4. You Can Take A Deep BreathThe Creole Nature Trail, colloquially known as "Louisiana's Outback," is one of the first official scenic byways in the country. The 180-mile driving tour offers fishing, boating, bird watching, and even crabbing. Tours are open year round so the views and wildlife are constantly changing. 5. The Best Snacks You've Never HadThis may sound a little off-putting at first, but hear me out: Boudin is made of pork meat, liver, rice, onions, parsley, and seasonings like salt, peppers and garlic powder. It's delicious, and a staple in Lake Charles along the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail. Soon to be one of your favorites. 6. Two Words: Mardi Gras You've heard about the crazy capers, the drunken insanity, the three days off from school and work. That's right, it'sMardi Gras! Lake Charles isn't left out of the fun (although it's a family-friendly festival), and the celebration usually draws in crowds of about 150,000 people. That's nearly double the population of the city itself, man. 7. But Don't Worry, Lake Charles Still Has Class... The galleries in Lake Charles are constantly shifting around their art to make sure you're never bored. The Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center showcases exhibits from around the world, and of course local artists' work too. 8. Learn About History Between the ever-popular local Children's Museum, the vibrant exhibits of the Mardi Gras Museum, the wonderfully nostalgic DeQuincy Railroad Museum or the area’s history at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum or Brimstone Museum, you've got your history lessons covered. But no lectures, notes, or finals required. Which is the best part, really. 9. A Pirate's Life For Lake CharlesDuring the first two weeks of May, 200,000 people attend Lake Charles' Louisiana Pirate Festival, clamoring for delicious food, fun music, and awesome live entertainment. In an ode to the piracy legend of the city, the festivities begin when the pirate crew of Jean Lafitte capture the city and force the mayor to walk the plank. 10. You Can Still See Men In Tights HereThe Lake Charles Civic Ballet is just what the doctor ordered for those looking for a night of high culture in southern Louisiana: The classical music (by the Lake Charles Symphony), the ridiculous costumes - they even put on a ballet version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" last December. 11. You'll See A Larger-Than-Life Relic Of US HistoryThe USS Orleck had her glory days back in the 1800s and served in Vietnam and Korea, but nowadays she's a constant reminder in the Calcasieu River of the dedication of the armed forces. The ship also turns into a haunted ghost ship every Halloween, which is pretty much about as terrifying as it sounds. 12. This City Will Have You Dancing All NightLike any good Louisiana town, Lake Charles doesn't skimp on music. Restaurants and bars playing Cajun, Zydeco, rock, indie, folk and every other type of music you can think of can be found just about everywhere. Trust me, they have your nightlife covered. 13. It's Even Produced A Few Famous Musicians All the music in this town has to rub off on some people. Surrounding towns like Westlake have been put on the map for producing talented artists (Joshua Ledet from American Idol in 2012), but Lake Charles has made its mark too. Opera singer Paul Groves was born and raised here, and the legendary Dolly Parton recorded her first single at Goldband Studios. 14. The Grocery Stores Aren't Like YoursSee a wide range of Louisiana-grown rice available to the public, an assortment of hot sauces, the roux section, and a variety of different meat and seafood sold. Local grocers stuff chicken and pork chops with boudin, sausage and other tasty delicacies.Lake Charles also has a glowing admiration for farmers and all of the fruit, veggies, jams, spices, soaps, and other goodies they make. The city hosts farmers markets that run weekly for most of the year, where you can find what you need and discover stuff you didn't even know you wanted. 15. Lake Charles Throws The Rule Book Out The WindowBack in the city's early days, there were no actual architects who had studied and practiced the vocation at all to build houses. So the good folk of Lake Charles got their plans from pattern books, and went about building in their own styles. The result was a district of remarkably unique houses on every street. This older Historic District of the city is now called theCharpentier (French for 'Carpenter') District. Thursday 10/10/19 - "PDJT RALLY Minneapolis, MN 7:00 pm (CDT) & Warriors4Trump 2ND Anniversary!!10/5/2019 Minnesota is home to 10,000 lakes—and two neighboring cities filled with vibrant culture, history, and art. Here are 25 facts about the Twin Cities, otherwise known as Minneapolis and St. Paul.
1. Minnesota is infamous for its cold winters. Luckily, Minneapolis residents can stay warm with the Minneapolis Skyway, an indoor pedestrian walkway system that links many downtown buildings. Spanning 69 blocks and seven miles, it's the longest continuous skyway system in the world. 2. Minnesota’s capital city isn’t Minneapolis--it’s St. Paul. Although Minneapolis is a bigger city, St. Paul is home to the state’s government. 3. Prince was born and raised in Minneapolis, and remains a proud local to this day. In the late 1970s, he pioneered what music magazines would soon dub the “Minneapolis sound”—a hybrid of R&B, funk, rock, pop, and new wave. 4. In the fall of1885, East Coast reporters visited Minnesota and called St. Paul “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation.” The Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce responded by hosting a giant winter carnival replete with food, ice palaces, and winter sports. The event was held on and off over the years until the St. Paul Winter Carnival finally became an official seasonal tradition in 1946. 5.In 2012, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis hosted the world’s first Internet Cat Video Festival, which was, well, a celebration of cat videos on the Internet. An estimated 10,000 people showed up for the event. 6. Although it’s known as a friendly Midwestern city, St. Paul was once a hub of nefarious criminal activity during the Prohibition era. Thanks to the city’s police chief, John O’Connor, gangsters could “freely roam St. Paul as long as they stayed out of trouble and paid a percentage of their earnings to the department,” writes Chad Lewis in The Minnesota Road Guide to Gangster Hotspots. 8. Bob Dylan attended the University of Minnesota from 1959 to 1960, and became involved in the local Minneapolis folk music scene. He dropped out after his freshman year to move to New York City. 9. Minneapolis recently surpassed Washington, D.C. to become America’s “Most Literate City.” Conducted by Central Connecticut State University president Dr. Jack Miller, the study evaluates and compares urban areas’ local bookstores, library resources, newspaper circulation and education levels. 10. It's also one of the most giving. As of 2011, nearly 40% of adults in Minneapolis and St. Paul devoted some of their free time to volunteer work. 11. Located right outside the Twin Cities in Bloomington, Minnesota, the Mall of America is a great place to go clothes shopping—especially because Minnesota has no sales tax on apparel and accessories. But while it’s the biggest mall in America, it’s not the largest in North America. That honor belongs to West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton Canada. 12. Despite its cold climate, Minneapolis is a mecca for outdoors cyclers. In 2014, the city was named the nation’s third most cycling-friendly urban area, ranking just below Chicago and New York. 13. The original single girl in the big city wasn’t Carrie Bradshaw—it was Mary Richards in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The 1970s sitcom followed the triumphs and tribulations of a 30-year-old woman as she adjusted to life on her own in Minneapolis after a bad break-up. 14. Before F. Scott Fitzgerald hobnobbed around Paris with Hemingway or became an East Coast city slicker, he spent his adolescent years in St. Paul. When Fitzgerald was a young man, his future wife, Zelda Sayre, broke off their engagement. To win her back, Fitzgerald moved back into his parents’ house in St. Paul, where he worked on the manuscript that would someday be known as This Side of Paradise. The novel was a bestseller, Fitzgerald became famous, and Zelda returned to his side. 15. Cool public art installations aren’t limited to trendy coastal cities. With 11 acres of more than 40 permanent art installations, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the country. 16. The Honeycrisp Apple was named the Minnesota State Fruit in 2006, and for good reason—it was invented by the University of Minnesota as part of an apple breeding program. 17. Historic Rice Park in downtown St. Paul is older than Central Park in New York City. 18. Garrison Keillor lives in St. Paul, where he broadcasts A Prairie Home Companion from an old converted movie palace called The Fitzgerald Theatre. (Keillor is currently transitioning out of his role as host; he recently announced he'll hand over the reins to musician and singer Chris Thile.) 19. Surprisingly, Chicago isn’t home to the nation’s oldest sketch comedy theater. That honor belongs to Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, where Al Franken performed before working on Saturday Night Live. 20. Bill Murray is part-owner of the St. Paul Saints, and can often be seen at games. The Saints' website calls him the "Team Psychologist," and describe his primary duties as consisting of "morale boosting and train spotting." 21. The greater Twin Cities area has one of the highest concentrations of Fortune 500 Companies in the country. 17 corporate behemoths—including Target, Best Buy, General Mills, and Land O’Lakes—currently call the region home. 22. The Mississippi River stretches from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. While many urban areas lie along the river's expanse, St. Paul boasts more city shoreline along the Mississippi than any other city. 23. St. Paul is home to Summit Avenue, the country's longest preserved avenue of Victorian houses and buildings. The street is lined with giant, Gilded Age homes, including 36,000-square-foot mansion of James J. Hill, who was once the richest man in Minnesota. 24. Minnesota is the state of 10,000 lakes—and the greater Minneapolis area is home to more than 22 of them. 25. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was born in Minneapolis and grew up in St. Paul. As a teenager in Minnesota, Schulz drew his very first published illustration—a picture of his dog, Spike, which he submitted to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Warriors4Trump Comment Policy
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