It is often difficult to understand the amount of tireless effort needed to create such a superior country as America is. America's ancestors worked tirelessly to give freedom to the people of today. Much gratitude is due to Christopher Columbus and George Washington for their success and impact on the United States of America. While their success didn't happen overnight, many Americans may think so. Both pioneers of progress faced and overcame challenges and adversities. Both men faced the challenge of being leaders. Christopher Columbus had to face the adversities of having a different culture while George Washington had to face a war. These hardships forced both men to work very hard and they ended up becoming two of the most respected men in America. Christopher Columbus is famous today for discovering the Americas. It was his leadership that made this discovery, the hardest and most difficult. Columbus had requested three ships for an expedition to Asia to procure spices from the countries there and bring them back to his country. Fortunately for him, Queen Isabella agreed to sponsor Christopher Columbus on an expedition to the Indies. This was not your typical expedition. Columbus had great hopes of reaching the Indies by sailing west; something that seemed impossible to do at the time. He was given the three ships he requested and was considered the captain and general of this voyage. It was very difficult for Columbus to successfully direct the ship's members on board as they all believed they were doomed to death. This trip took about two months to complete. It's hard to imagine constantly having the uncertainty of whether someone is going to fall off the Earth or not. This very thing, however, pushed the ship's members into... middle of paper... and many died because there wasn't enough food for everyone. Washington had to work hard during this period. He found himself pondering things that could be done, but given the time and lack of communication, success seemed impossible. This was difficult for George Washington to do, but he kept his feet on the ground and continued to be the leader everyone knows. Both leaders have truly inspiring stories. It is surprising that nothing has dashed the hopes of these leaders. If Christopher Columbus had not undertaken his voyage, it probably would have taken hundreds of years to discover the Americas. If George Washington had not assumed the role of the first man to govern America as such, the laws and regulations would be extremely different. Both men's stories follow the quote: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”