He was riding back from the conquest of Granada when he was summoned to a Royal meeting that would change history

The Final Jeopardy clue for Thursday, April 24, 2025, came from the category “Historic Names” and read: “He was riding back from the conquest of Granada when he was summoned to a Royal meeting that would change history.”

https://youtu.be/-bd1vXtb_Ao

Who is Christopher Columbus?

This clue references a pivotal moment in European and world history: the days following the Catholic Monarchs’ successful campaign to retake Granada in 1492. As Spain celebrated the conclusion of the Reconquista—a centuries-long effort to reclaim Iberian territories from Muslim rule—Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator who had long sought backing for his transatlantic voyage, was finally summoned to meet with Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. That meeting would lead directly to the sponsorship of his expedition westward, which would result in the European encounter with the Americas.

Columbus and the Fall of Granada

The fall of Granada in January 1492 marked a major milestone for Spain. It was the last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula, and its capture by Ferdinand and Isabella completed their effort to unify Spain under Christian rule. Christopher Columbus had been petitioning various European courts for years to support his westward expedition to find a new route to Asia, but had faced rejection after rejection, including from the Spanish court.

The conclusion of the Granada campaign created a window of opportunity. As Columbus traveled back from negotiations, he was called to a meeting with the monarchs in the town of Santa Fe, near Granada. It was there that the monarchs reconsidered his proposal. Their newfound resources, political unity, and religious zeal likely contributed to their decision to approve the voyage—one that would set the course for the Age of Exploration.

The Capitulations of Santa Fe

This historic meeting culminated in the signing of the Capitulations of Santa Fe in April 1492. The agreement granted Columbus significant titles and a share of the riches he expected to acquire from his expedition. It essentially gave him the authority of a viceroy over any new lands he discovered and promised him ten percent of the profits.

This moment was a major gamble for the Spanish Crown, as Columbus’s calculations were widely doubted by contemporary navigators. However, the success of the Granada campaign may have emboldened the monarchs to invest in new opportunities beyond Europe. Within months, Columbus would embark on his first voyage across the Atlantic, setting sail in August 1492.

A Turning Point in Global History

Though the clue references a very specific moment in time, its implications are vast. Columbus’s encounter with the New World in October 1492 opened an era of European exploration and colonization. His voyages initiated centuries of contact between Europe and the Americas, with profound consequences for indigenous peoples, global trade, religion, and geopolitics.

It is widely accepted today that Columbus never reached Asia as he had planned, and he died believing he had found islands near the continent. Still, the legacy of that royal meeting after Granada is undeniable. It marked the beginning of European expansion on a global scale and forever altered the course of world history.

Why This Clue Matters in Context

The phrasing of the clue offers a precise historical anchor. By referencing the moment just after the conquest of Granada—a well-documented event—the writers tied a famous name to a specific context that was instrumental in securing support for one of history’s most consequential voyages. It also subtly highlights the interconnected nature of major historical events: the end of the Reconquista directly paved the way for the beginning of European exploration abroad.

By testing players’ ability to connect the dots between military campaigns, political decisions, and historical turning points, this Final Jeopardy clue reminded viewers how much of history hinges on timing, opportunity, and persuasive ambition.