King Ferdinand II of Aragon, born in 1452, was a significant figure in Spanish history. He is best known for his marriage to Queen Isabella I of Castile, which united the two largest kingdoms in Spain. This union laid the foundation for the modern Spanish state and helped to consolidate power in the region. Ferdinand and Isabella are also famous for sponsoring Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage, which led to the discovery of the Americas. Their reign marked the completion of the Reconquista, the campaign to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, culminating in the capture of Granada in 1492.