Christopher Columbus wanted riches and fame and he believed that sailing to Asia through a new route that traveled around the globe westward was the way to do it.
He presented his plan to many governments in Europe but none of them accepted until he went to the leaders of Spain. They also wanted fame and fortune, and agreed to help him sail across the world.
On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain in three ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, hoping to find a new route to Asia.
On October 12, his ships made landfall on land he thought was India, but was actually a Bahamian island near Cuba.
After sailing around the surrounding islands for months looking for fortune like gold and exotic spices, he found very little. He then went back to Spain after leaving a small settlement on one of the islands.