Stories of America

America is Named

This episode explores how the name “America” came to be. Through simple narration and clear visuals, young viewers learn about the mapmaker Martin Waldseemüller, the influence of explorer Amerigo Vespucci, and how early European discoveries shaped the naming of a new continent. The program breaks down the historical confusion, the reasoning behind the name, and how it eventually became attached to the land that would form the United States. Designed for classroom use, it offers a straightforward introduction to the origins of one of the world’s most recognized names.