Christopher Columbus left Palos, Spain with three ships. The voyage led him to what is now known as the Americas. He reached the Bahamas on October 12. Germany declared war on France. The next day World War I began when Britain declared war on Germany. The nuclear-powered submarine USS Nautilus became the first vessel to cross the North Pole underwater. On December 18th 1958, the Republic of Niger was officially created. In July 1960 France agreed to Niger becoming fully independent. Niger gained its full independence on August 3rd 1960, with Hamani Diori becoming Niger's first president.