European Explorers

Prince Henry the Navigator

Mar 4, 1394

He never sailed on any of the voyages that he had sponsored. He died on November 13th 1460. The Navigator was a Portugese explorer.

John Cabot

Jan 1, 1450

John was the first European since the Vikings to explore the mainland of North America. He also believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west. Cabot died in 1499, the exact day and month is unknown. He was an English explorer.

Christopher Columbus

Jan 1, 1451

Columbus was the first European since the Vikings to "discover" the New World. He became a sailor in his early teen years. Christopher died on May 20th 1506. He was a Spanish explorer.

Amerigo Vespucci

Mar 18, 1454

North America and South America were named after Vespucci. Amerigo died from malaria on February 22nd 1512. He was a Spanish explorer.

Francisco Pizzaro

Jan 1, 1475

Pizzaro conqured the Inca Empire, he was also the founder of Peru. He died in 1541, the exact day and month are unknown. Francisco was a Spanich Explorer.

Vasco Nunez Balboa

Jan 15, 1475

Balboa was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from its eastern shore. He was beheaded on January 12th 1519. He was a Spanish explorer.

Hernando Cortez

Jan 1, 1485

Cortez led attacks against Tenochtitlan. Cortez also defeated the Aztec Empire. He died on December 2nd 1547. Cortez was a Spanish explorer.

Jacques Cartier

Dec 31, 1491

Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River. He also studied navigation in Dieppe. Jacques died on September 1st 1557. He was a French explorer.

Sir Francis Drake

Jan 1, 1540

Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada. He first started off in ship trading. He died on January 27th 1596. Drake was an English Exploer.

Father Jacques Marquette

Jun 10, 1637

Father Marquette was on the expedition that led to the discovery of the Mississippi River. He died on May 18th 1675. He was a French explorer.