It is often difficult to understand the amount of tireless effort it took to create a country as superior as America. America's ancestors worked tirelessly to bring freedom to the people of today. Much gratitude is owed to Christopher Columbus and George Washington for their success and impact on the United States of America. Although their success didn't happen overnight, many Americans might think so. The two pioneers of progress faced and overcame challenges and adversities. Both men faced the challenge of being leaders. Christopher Columbus faced adversity from a different culture while George Washington faced a war. These hardships forced both men to work very hard and eventually became two of the most respected men in America. Christopher Columbus is famous today for having discovered 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 obtain 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 India. This was not a typical expedition. Columbus had high hopes of reaching India by sailing west; something that seemed impossible to do at the time. He received the three ships he requested and was considered the captain and general of this voyage. It was very difficult for Columbus to successfully lead the ship's members on board, as everyone believed they were doomed to death. This trip lasted about two months. It's hard to imagine constantly having the uncertainty of whether you're going to fall off the Earth or not. However, this pushed the ship's members to the middle of paper and many were dying because there wasn't enough food to go around. Washington had to try hard during this period. He found himself thinking about things that could be done, but given time and lack of communication, success seemed impossible. This was difficult for George Washington to achieve, but he kept his two feet on the ground and continued to be the leader everyone knows. Both leaders have truly inspiring stories. It is astonishing that nothing has dashed the hopes of these leaders. If Christopher Columbus had not embarked on his voyage, it would likely have taken hundreds of years to discover the Americas. If George Washington had not assumed the role of the first man to rule America with one voice, then the laws and regulations would have been vastly different. The stories of both men go hand in hand with the quote: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”