The Vikings discovered America first...why is Christopher Columbus still getting the credit?

Question

Viking artifacts have been discovered in the Americas that prove my forefathers were here long before Columbus. The history books need to be changed.

Answer 1

The Vikings came, and left. Columbus came, and stayed.

Answer 2

The good history books do mention the Vikings settlement, but still give credit to Columbus, because his "discovery" was more permanent. The Vikings in America died out, so, even though they were the first Europeans in the new world, they had no influence on how civilization developed on the continent.

Answer 3

Columbus returned whereas the first discoverers stayed

Answer 4

Columbus was snubbed in that this country was named after Americus Vespuci.  I just thought that might make you feel abit better.

Answer 5

Columbus's is the first DOCUMENTED voyage to America; he did research about it and made maps.  He then shared his knowledge.  So through him, Europeans 'discovered' North America; while the VIkings kept it a secret.

(The Vikings need to be given more credit for being great rulers.  THey did a fabulous job of this in many places they conquered, such as Normandy, Britain, and Sicily.  In Sicily, they may have been the best rulers ever; Sicily may have been enjoyed her happiest and most prosperous times under ROger II.)