1493: Columbus mistakes manatees for mermaids

[Jan 9]( THIS DAY IN HISTORY 1493 [Columbus mistakes manatees for mermaids]( On this day in 1493, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, sees three "mermaids"–in reality manatees–and describes them as "not half as beautiful as they are painted." Six months earlier, Columbus (1451-1506) set off from Spain across the Atlantic Oc... [read more »]( [HISTORY Vault]( [Into the Unknown]( From Marco Polo to Christopher Columbus, travel along with some of history's most famous explorers, and find out how their discoveries shaped the world. Stream these episodes plus thousands of HISTORY's best documentaries, series and specials—all commercial-free. [START FREE TRIAL]( 21st Century 2001 [Apple launches iTunes, revolutionizing how people consume music »]( 2007 [Steve Jobs debuts the iPhone »]( American Revolution 1776 [Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense" »]( Art, Literature, and Film History 1768 [First modern circus is staged »]( 1924 [Virginia Woolf buys a house in Bloomsbury »]( 1976 [Sylvester Stallone starts filming "Rocky" »]( 1979 [Pop luminaries gather at the U.N. for the Music for UNICEF concert »]( Civil War 1861 ["Star of the West" is fired upon »]( Crime 1984 [One of the "Hillside Stranglers" sentenced to life »]( 1970s 1972 [Fire breaks out on former RMS Queen Elizabeth »]( COLD WARS 1952 [President Truman warns of Cold War dangers »]( U.S. Presidents 1913 [Richard M. Nixon is born »]( Westward Expansion 1887 [Record cold and snow decimates cattle herds »]( World War II 1945 [United States invades Luzon in Philippines »]( [HISTORY.com]( [Subscribe]( | [Update Profile]( | [Contact Us](mailto:thc.newsletters@aetn.com) You received this message because {EMAIL} is subscribed to This Day In History email updates. If you DO NOT wish to receive these emails please [UNSUBSCRIBE](. Having trouble viewing this message? [View the web version](. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not junk folders) and view images, [please add us to your address book or safe/white list](. This is a promotional email from HISTORY and A+E Networks. © 2020 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Email Marketing, 235 E 45th Street, New York, NY 10017 [( [TV Parental Guidelines]( | [Careers]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Privacy Notice]( | [Copyright Policy](