On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail on an expedition that would unexpectedly change world history through two major events.

The first pivotal moment occurred on January 2, 1492, when Spanish forces under King Ferdinand V conquered Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in Spain. This victory marked the end of Islamic influence in Western Europe and transformed Spain from conquered to conqueror.

Columbus, seeking a western route to the Indies, secured Spanish royal sponsorship shortly after Granada's fall. His primary motivation wasn't gold or religious conversion, but rather finding a faster way to import spices, particularly pepper, to Europe.

Sailing with three ships—the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María—Columbus landed on October 12, 1492, in what he believed was Asia but was actually the Bahamas. He died believing he had reached Asia, never realizing he had discovered a new continent. It was Amerigo Vespucci who later identified these lands as the "New World," which would be named America in his honor.

While Spain and Portugal focused on Central and South America, England established colonies along North America's east coast. These English settlements would eventually become the United States of America, emerging as a global superpower alongside Great Britain, which developed into a vast empire.

The discovery's historical significance extends beyond exploration and colonization. The English-speaking nations' rise to global prominence fulfilled biblical prophecies regarding the descendants of Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. The United States became the "great nation" (Genesis 48:19) promised to Manasseh, while Britain became the "multitude of nations" promised to Ephraim.

Columbus's voyage, driven by commerce and ambition, inadvertently set in motion events that would reshape global power structures and fulfill ancient prophecies, making 1492 one of history's most consequential years.

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