09 March 1454,
An Italian explorer was born that would call the American continent: America Vespucio. Especially for his work in identifying the territory and by his name to the continent Abya Yala. He traveled to the continent at least twice. Before reaching Columbus, the continent was already called. The best known is Abya Yala, a name that Panama and Kuna, in Colombia, also endorsed by the Mayans. Today, many indigenous representatives speak with this continent name instead of using America. Abya Yala means mature land or, according to other interpretations, living land or flowering land.
Source:
Wikipedia – Ameriko Vespucio