I’m sure that everyone remembers the days in grade school when we celebrated Columbus Day. Surprisingly, though, most things about Columbus that are taught in grade school are myths.

Here are a few examples, and some things your teachers didn’t tell you:

1. Columbus was of Italian descent (Unknown): Much controversy surrounds the origin of Columbus. Although there was a good chance that he was Italian, there also is reason to believe that he was of Spanish descent.

2. Columbus’ voyages helped pave the way for Europe’s domination of the world for the next 500 years (Fact): Except for the invention of agriculture, that was probably the most consequential development in human history.

3. Columbus thought that the earth was flat (Myth): At the end of the 15th century, almost everyone knew that the Earth was a sphere. What was in question, however, was the circumference of the Earth.

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   Spain financed Columbus’ voyages for the purpose of world domination: Fact.

5. Queen Isabella sold the crown jewels to finance Columbus’ voyage (Myth): The queen may have suggested this, but her financial advisers convinced her otherwise.

6. The crew of the 3 ships was made up of jailbirds and ex-convicts (Myth): The crew was actually made up of experienced sailors from the towns of Palos and Moguer, Spain.

7. The initial voyage from Spain to the new world was perilous and fraught with bad weather and lack of food. Several sailors died along the way (Myth): No one died on the maiden voyage.

8. Columbus first landed in the Bahamas: Fact.
9. Columbus died of syphilis (Myth): Columbus died from a form of Gout.
10. Columbus died a poor man in chains in a Spanish prison (Myth): He did spend time in jail, but died a relatively rich man.