What Happened This Year 1493

Historical Events from This Year 1493

Exploration & Discovery

Christopher Columbus Discovers Puerto Rico

November 18th, 1493 531 years ago

Christopher Columbus first encountered the island now known as Puerto Rico during his second voyage to the Americas. Upon sighting the island, he named it 'San Juan Bautista' in honor of St. John the Baptist. This event marked a significant moment in the exploration of the Caribbean as Columbus and his crew navigated through the waters, impressed by the island's lush landscape and the native taíno people they encountered.

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Exploration & Discovery

Columbus Lands on Borinquen, Names it San Juan Bautista

November 19th, 1493 531 years ago

Christopher Columbus, during his second voyage, landed on an island he named Borinquen after spotting it the previous day. He designated it as San Juan Bautista in honor of Saint John the Baptist. This landing was part of Columbus's broader mission of exploration in the New World and marked an important moment in the history of the Caribbean.

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