“In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” These words are ingrained in children at a young age to suggest that this was the year that began the development of modern day America. This, however, is a flawed understanding. To begin, Columbus couldn’t have possibly discovered the New World for there were already people inhabiting the land. It is impossible to discover something that was already found. Additionally, contrary to many beliefs, Columbus was not the first person to reach the New World. According to “Coming to America: Who was First?” written by Eric Weiner and Russell Freedman, there is evidential proof that the Vikings and Chinese both made it to the New World years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
Weiner, Eric, and Russell Freedman. “Coming to America: Who was First?” NPR, NPR, 8 Oct. 2007, www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15040888. Accessed 30 Sept. 2017.
