On this day in Latin American history: August 1st

-1498: Christopher Columbus became the first European to visit Venezuela.

-1808: Slaves from Trinidad and Tobago were emancipated via an act of the British parliament. Thus, today is a national holiday in Trinidad and Tobago- Emancipation Day.

-1902: The U.S. finalizes purchasing the rights to construct the Panama Canal (image) from France.

-2004: Over 400 people die when fire rages through a supermarket in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Latin America, history