1492 CE: Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue in the Common Era

Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage occurred in 1492 CE (Common Era).

CE vs. BCE

• CE (Common Era): Years after the traditional birth of Jesus (equivalent to AD).
• BCE (Before Common Era): Years before that epoch (equivalent to BC).
• No year zero: 1 BCE → 1 CE.

Historical Context

• Columbus departed Palos de la Frontera, Spain on August 3, 1492 CE.
• Landfall in the Bahamas (Guanahaní) on October 12, 1492 CE.
• The "Columbian Exchange" of biota, pathogens, and peoples between hemispheres began then.

The CE/BCE system is the secular equivalent of AD/BC, used globally in academia, science, and international standards (ISO 8601).