This is an Alternative History with only one POD, yet it is huge. Essentially, Christopher Columbus's idea of setting sail across the Atlantic is set aside as preposterous by the Spanish Crown in 1492 and instead must seek sponsor through private investors. This postpones his departure from late summer, 1492, to mid-summer, 1494. Though, with the extra time, he could really hype it up. When he departed from Sicily in 1494 everyone was assured it would work. He was struck by a hurricane mid-voyage and everyone aboard perished. As nobody returned, America was never discovered and thus history was changed forever.