1451 CE - 1506 CE: Life of the Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus.

1460 CE: The Santa Maria is launched in Pontevedra in Galicia, northern Spain. It will be Christopher Columbus' flagship when he sails to the Americas in 1492.

1492 CE - 1493 CE: First Voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World in three ships in an attempt to establish maritime trade routes to the East.

1493 CE - 1496 CE: Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World in 17 ships to colonize the region.

1498 CE - 1500 CE: Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World to find a passage to the East; South and Central America are identified.

1502 CE - 1504 CE: Fourth Voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World; Spanish colonies now operating fully without him, systemic exploitation of indigenous people has become policy.