Rodrigo de Triana facts for kids
Rodrigo de Triana (born in Lepe, Huelva, Spain around 1469 – died in the Maluku Islands around 1535) was a Spanish sailor. He is widely known as the first European from the Age of Exploration to have seen the Americas. His birth name was Juan Rodríguez Bermejo. Rodrigo was the son of Vicente Bermejo, who was a respected person (a hidalgo) and a potter, and Sereni Betancour.
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Rodrigo de Triana: A Famous Sailor
Early Life and Background
Rodrigo de Triana grew up in Lepe, a town in the Huelva province of Spain. His family was involved in pottery, a common trade at the time. As a young man, he chose a life at sea. Being a sailor was a popular career during the late 1400s. This was a time when European countries were actively exploring new sea routes.
The Moment of Discovery: Sighting the Americas
On Board the Pinta
On October 12, 1492, Rodrigo de Triana was a crew member on Christopher Columbus's ship, La Pinta. Early that morning, around two o'clock, he spotted land. He famously shouted, "¡Tierra! ¡Tierra!" which means "Land! Land!" in Spanish. This was a huge and exciting moment for the crew. They had been sailing for many weeks across the vast Atlantic Ocean.
The land Rodrigo saw was a small island. It was part of the Lucayas archipelago, now known as the Bahamas. Christopher Columbus later named this island San Salvador. This name means "Holy Savior" in Spanish. It honored Jesus Christ and the feeling of salvation after their long and challenging journey.
The Disputed Claim
However, there was a disagreement about who saw the land first. Columbus wrote in his journal that he had seen a faint light four hours earlier. This was around ten o'clock the previous night. He described it as "like a little wax candle rising and falling." But he admitted it was so unclear that he wasn't sure it was land. Despite Rodrigo's clear sighting, Columbus claimed the reward for being the first to see the new world. Rodrigo de Triana was very disappointed by Columbus's decision. He felt that his honest discovery was not recognized.
Life After the Voyage
Disappointment and New Adventures
After returning to Spain, Rodrigo decided to continue his adventures. He later sailed to Africa, exploring new places and continuing his life at sea. He was a Catholic.
Remembering Rodrigo de Triana
A Satellite in His Name
Even though his initial discovery was disputed, Rodrigo de Triana's name lives on. NASA honored him by naming a satellite after him. The Deep Space Climate Observatory, which was designed to provide a continuous view of Earth, was first called Triana. This satellite helps scientists study our planet from space.
Other Tributes
There is also a relief (a type of sculpture) of Rodrigo de Triana on the front of the Hargreaves Building in Liverpool, England. This shows how his important role in history is remembered around the world.
See also
In Spanish: Rodrigo de Triana para niños
