Weird NewsBEAT THE ANCHOR
Which explorer reached North America about 500 years before Columbus?
Leif Erikson is the answer, and a Norse settlement found in Newfoundland, Canada, dates back about one thousand years; Chip still wanted a sandwich.
On air: Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell on Wake Up, AmericaPublished
At a glance
- First reported by Wikipedia: “Which explorer reached North America about 500 years before Columbus?”
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:22 AM ET on Wake Up, America, by Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell.
- Topics: North America, NYC Columbus.
- BBN covered this story before: Sour Patch Wings land in Columbus as Weird Al list sparks debate (October 14).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhich explorer reached North America about five hundred years before Columbus? A, Marco Polo. B, Leif Erikson. C, Magellan. D, Vasco da Gama.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOh, I love this one! Vasco da Gama sounds like a sandwich place in the Pinecrest Plaza, and I trust that plaza.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTen seconds on the clock. Chat, play along. Chip, you may begin suffering.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo those sub shops open early, and the best ones always have a line out the door by seven Eastern.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhich means whoever got to North America first had to want a sandwich, and Vasco clearly wanted it most.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFinal answer, D, Vasco da Gama, extra peppers!
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe answer is B, Leif Erikson. Per Wikipedia, a Norse settlement found in Newfoundland, Canada, dates back about one thousand years.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo Vasco was not first in line?
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTwenty-eight years at this desk, Chip, and that may be the most confident wrong answer I have ever had to read out.
The story so far
- Washington Post asks why the pre-Columbus explorer gets no credit · The Washington Post
- Gov. Hochul booed at NYC Columbus Day parade: 'You're a disgrace' · New York Post
- DHS piles on Hochul and Mamdani over 16,000 migrants · Breitbart
- Breitbart Business Digest: Commerce after Columbus's Discovery of… · Breitbart
- Rides, demolition derby and fair food return as Columbus County fair… · WECT | TV6
- Sour Patch Wings land in Columbus as Weird Al list sparks debate · 614NOW
- Which explorer reached North America about 500 years before Columbus? (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 16, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months
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