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1488
Bartolomeu Dias discovers the Cape of Good Hope.
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias leads the first European expedition to the Cape of Good hope opening the sea route to Asia from the Atlantic and Indian oceans. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus discovers America
Christopher Columbus arrives on the shores of the Americas opening up a new world to be explored. -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas is signed dividing the world in half. Giving territories east of the line to Portugal and west of the line to Spain -
1497
Vasco da Gama becomes to travel from Europe to India along the Cape of Good Hope
Vasco da Gama becomes to travel from Europe to India by rounding the newly discovered Cape of Good Hope proving the route is possible. The new route introduced new competition to Europe. -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot explores the Newfoundland Coastline
John Cabot makes the earliest known European exploration of the coasts of North America on behalf of England. -
Apr 22, 1500
Pedro Álvares Cabal discovers Brazil
Portuguese sea captain Pedro Álvares Cabal lands in South America becoming the first European to reach Brazil and establishing claim to what would later be known as Brazil. -
1502
Amerigo Vespucci discovers the new continent
Amerigo Vespucci figured out that Columbus actually landed on a new continent. The name America comes from Amerigo Vespucci's name -
1521
Hernán Cortés conquers the Aztecs
Hernán Cortés along with 550 soldiers, 16 horses, and the help of nearby city states conquers the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. As a result, Spain control of Mexico. -
1522
Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigates the globe
Ferdinand Magellan's crew arrive back at Spain becoming the first to travel completely around the globe -
1524
Giovanni da Verrazano charts the eastern coast of North America
In January 1524, he sailed the aboard the La Dauphine and explored the eastern coast of north America. He made several discoveries including present day New York and the Narragansett Bay. -
1534
Francisco Pizzaro conquers the Inca
Francisco Pizzaro conquers the Inca and executes their leader, Atahualpa. Furthering Spain's control of South America. -
1535
Jacques Cartier sails up the St. Lawrence river
French explorer Jacques Cartier sails up the St. Lawrence river claiming the area for France. -
1541
Hernando de Soto reaches the Mississippi river
Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto while exploring southeastern United States becomes the first European to reach the Mississippi river. Exploring the Americas further than ever before. -
1580
Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe in a single expedition
Francis Drake becomes the second person to circumnavigate the world preying on Spanish ships along the way. Francis Drake's accomplishment shows how circumnavigating the world has become easier. -
East India Company founded
The East India Company is established as a trading body for English Merchants specifically to participate in the East Indian spice trade. It expanded international trade. -
Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company is established to protect the Dutch Republic's trade in the Indian ocean and to assist the Dutch war of independence. -
Willem Janzoon discovers Australia
Along his voyage, Dutch explorer Willem Janzoon maps the coast of Australia and discovers a new continent. -
Jamestown, Virginia
The first permanent English settlement in North America is established at Jamestown, Virginia -
Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec
Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec, the first permanent French settlement in the Americas. -
Henry Hudson discovers the Hudson Strait
Henry Hudson in search of northeast passage to Asia sails through the Hudson Straight and reaches the Hudson Bay. Mapping many waterways in North America.