Wednesday, October 17, 1492

by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands, Spain

Columbus wrote his Journal as a report to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. On October 17, he indicated in the Journal that he was sailing in the “Indies” (as he had promised them) and referred to the Taínos as “Indians.” Isabella and Ferdinand approach Barcelona,...

Sunday, October 21, 1492

by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands

The Guanahanían captives inform Columbus of two large islands to the south, Cuba and Haiti. Columbus then believes Cuba must be Japan.

Wednesday, October 24, 1492

by Andrew Rowen | | Lucayan Islands

Columbus sails for Cuba, experiencing rainy weather and inconsistent winds. He didn’t yet understand how bad the weather could get. In future years, Columbus and Europeans would experience what the Taínos referred to as huracáns.

Monday, October 29, 1492

by Andrew Rowen | | Cuba

Having reached Cuba, Columbus was unable to establish contact with the local peoples, as they fled when sailors went ashore. Columbus dispatches one of the Guanahanían captives ashore as an emissary—but the locals abandon their homes and flee again.

Tuesday, October 30, 1492

by Andrew Rowen | | Cuba

Offshore the modern Bahía de Gibara, Cuba, Columbus believes he’s almost arrived at the kingdom of the Grand Khan of Cathay written about by Marco Polo. He prepares to dispatch an embassy of crewmen inland to meet the local ruler. Guanahanían captives offer to...