What major event did Christopher Columbus accomplish in 1492?

The major event that Christopher Columbus accomplished in 1492 was the discovery of the New World. Columbus is credited with making the first lasting European contact with the Americas when he landed in the Bahamas. This voyage marked a significant moment in history as it led to the widespread awareness of the existence of the American continents and initiated a period of exploration and colonization by European powers.

Understanding why this event is significant involves recognizing its impact on world history. It changed trade routes, led to the exchange of cultures and goods between the Old and New Worlds, commonly referred to as the Columbian Exchange, and greatly influenced the course of history in both Europe and the Americas.

The other choices do not accurately reflect events associated with Columbus. He did not invent the watch, publish Principia Mathematica, or launch the Reformation; rather, these events and figures are significant in their own rights but pertain to different historical contexts and individuals.