The "discovery" of America refers to Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492, which led to European awareness and eventual colonization of these lands.
Related terms
New World: Refers to North and South America after their "discovery" by Europeans.
Indigenous Peoples: Native inhabitants of an area before it was colonized; in this case, referring specifically to the diverse cultures living in the Americas prior to European arrival.
Cultural Exchange: Interaction between different cultural groups resulting from contact through trade, migration, or conquest.