Everyone learns in school that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. Columbus occupies an exalted position in our history, honored with statues, place names and countless books and movies.

Most of us were taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America. Yet it is far from clear cut. There are alternative theories about who got here first — some well-documented, others much ...

America wasn't named for Christopher Columbus (left), but for Amerigo Vespucci (right). (Image credit: Shutterstock) But letters from the Italian Vespucci (1459-1512) were far more popular.

It’s Columbus Day – a time when faulty lore about the “discoverer of America” abounds. ... 4. MYTH: Columbus discovered America. Oct. 10, 2011, 2:10 p.m. ET ...

It is commonly said that "Columbus discovered America." It would be more accurate, perhaps, to say that he introduced the Americas to Western Europe during his four voyages to the region between ...

A Swede, an Irishman and an Italian were discussing the discovery of America. “Well, everybody knows Columbus discovered America in 1492,” said the Italian. “No,” said the Swede. “Leif ...

“Muslims discovered America in 1178, not Christopher Columbus,” he said, according to the Daily Mail. “Contacts between Latin America and Islam date back to the 12th century.

If Columbus discovered America, he himself didn't know. Until his death he claimed to have landed in Asia, even though most navigators knew he didn't. [Top 10 Intrepid Explorers] ...