Why is Christopher Columbus famous? What did he do?
Christopher Columbus first sailed from Europe to North America in 1492. This trip showed others that it could be done. Many European explorers and settlers followed Columbus. Settlers are people who make a home in a new place. Soon, American Indians were not the only people living in North America.
Some European countries claimed land throughout North America. They thought its resources would make them richer and more powerful. England claimed land along the East Coast. People from England moved to these places, but they still followed the rules of England. These areas were English colonies. A colony is a place that is ruled by another country.
