Who really discovered America?

For a long time, people believed that Christopher Columbus was the first person from Europe to land in America. But new findings show that some other people visited the continent before Columbus. One group which probably beat Columbus to America was the Vikings. They came from Northern Europe to Iceland and Greenland. They made voyages to Canada more than 800 years ago. They did not leave any records. But Eskimo carvings show men dressed the way the Vikings did. St Brendan, an Irish monk may have landed in Canada more than 1200 years ago. Old writings show that the monk left Ireland in a leather boat. He had a small group of men with him. Columbus may not be the first, but he is the most important explorer. Soon after his four trips other men came to the New World. America is the New World. The people who live there come from different parts of the world. The population of Florida, New Mexico and California are of French and Spanish origin; those in the northern parts are of English and Dutch origin. Since 1820, about 50 million immigrants have made America their home. Many came looking for a better life. Today most immigrants come from Latin America and Asia. The United States are in North America. They are 50 states and each state has its own flag, flower and bird. These symbols stand for the people and events from the past.