Amerigo Vespucci: The Man Who Actually Discovered America

Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer born in 1454 in Florence. Renowned for his voyages to the New World, Vespucci's expeditions in the late 15th and early 16th centuries were pivotal in mapping the coasts of South America. Unlike Columbus, who believed he had reached Asia, Vespucci realized that these lands were part of a new continent. His detailed letters and reports, published posthumously, were instrumental in naming the newly discovered continents "America" in his honor. Vespucci's contributions to geography and exploration helped shape the understanding of the world during the Age of Discovery.

American History Figures brings you the best in US History. All of the most famous historical figures from the US and the Americas.