With the idea of discovering a new sea route to the Indies, Columbus set sail. Once landing on San Salvador, he made contact with the inhabitants and named them Indies. It is believed believed by many historians that Columbus made set anchor in the New World on the island of San Salvador, on the 12th of October, 1492. Today, some historians are not sure that the first landing was on San Salvador. Regardless, it was in that area that Columbus claimed the "New World" for Spain. It is also believed that Columbus did not set foot on land that would become the United States.