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1488
Portuguese Bartolomew Dias Sails Around Southern Coast of Africa.
In 1488, nobody believed that a sea route from Asia to Europe for trading was possible. Dias proved them wrong by venturing through Africa's southern coast successfully, through storms and terrible weather. -
Oct 12, 1492
Englishman Christopher Columbus Discovers North America.
European explorer Christopher Columbus, discovered America after trying to find a route to China. He believed that sailing through the Atlantic was the quickest path to China. His bravery of sailing into uncharted waters and coming back further proves his place of being one of the greatest explorers. -
1495
Spanish Conquistadors
Spain wanted to get riches, but couldn't find an innovative way. They then created Conquistadors, who were given the authority to explore, conquer, and gain land for Spain. -
Jun 8, 1497
Portugese De Gama Reaches India
De Gama wanted to reach India but had no guidance. As they sailed, they eventually reached modern day Kenya, where they met a navigator, who led him to India. -
Jun 24, 1498
Englishman John Cabot Rediscovers North America
Cabot, much like Columbus, wanted to reach the East. He wasn't able to convince anybody until he met King Henry, who granted him the permission and money to sail North, claiming lands for England. -
1513
Spaniard Vasco Nunez
Vasco Núñez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador. He is best known for crossing the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming the first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World. -
1513
Spaniard Juan de Ponce
Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer and conquistador known for leading the first official European expedition to Puerto Rico in 1508 and Florida in 1513. He was born in Santervás de Campos, Valladolid, Spain, in 1474. -
1519
Spaniard Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, 1st Marquess of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of what is now mainland Mexico under the rule of the king of Castile in the early 16th century. -
1519
Spaniard Ferdinand ll
Ferdinand II was King of Aragon from 1479 until he died in 1516. As the husband of Queen Isabella I of Castile, he was also King of Castile from 1475 to 1504. He reigned jointly with Isabella over a dynastically unified Spain; together they are known as the Catholic Monarchs. -
1519
Italian Giovanni da Verrazzano
Giovanni da Verrazzano was an Italian explorer of North America, in the service of King Francis I of France. He is renowned as the first European to explore the Atlantic coast of North America between Florida and New Brunswick in 1524, including New York Bay and Narragansett Bay. -
1531
Spanish Conquistador Pizzaro Conquers Incas
Pizzaro had learned of a rich empire in South America. After getting permission to go, he went with an army and found a ship full of gold and silver, which he captured. Years later, he learned that the leader of the Inca Empire was weak. He then went there and took him hostage for ransom, taking the Incas gold. After collecting the gold, he still killed the leader and took over Inca. -
Apr 20, 1531
Frenchman Jacques Cartier Explores Canada
Sent by the King of France, Cartier was meant to find a passage to Asia. When he arrived in Newfoundland, he claimed it for France. He then continued to explore and claim lands for the rest of France. -
May 1, 1539
Spaniard Hernando De Soto Discovers Mississippi.
Hernando De Soto ventured into America, starting from Florida. In south Alabama, Desoto and his men were ambushed by native Americans in a town, killing 200 of his men and injuring 150. Desoto managed to survive and burned the town afterwards. They then continued their expedition and reached modern day Mississippi. -
1579
Dutchman Willem Barenstz
Willem Barenstz was tasked with finding a passage from Europe to Asia. He went far north into the Artic with his crew and explored many of the lands there. -
East India Company
The East India Company was probably the most powerful corporation in history. At its height, it dominated global trade between Europe, South Asia, and the Far East, fought numerous wars using its army and navy, and conquered and colonized modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Burma. -
Dutch East India Company
The United East India Company, commonly known as the Dutch East India Company, was a chartered trading company and the first joint-stock company in the world. -
Frenchman Samuel De Champlain
Champlain traveled to America with his crew and was very good at exploring the land. He was tasked at finding a place for a permanent settlement and found what is now Quebec. -
Samuel De Champlain
Samuel de Champlain was a French explorer, navigator, cartographer, draftsman, soldier, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and chronicler. He made between 21 and 29 trips across the Atlantic Ocean, and founded Quebec City, and New France, on 3 July 1608. -
Drake
Aubrey Drake Graham, known mononymously as Drake, is a Canadian rapper and singer. An influential figure in contemporary popular music, he has been credited with popularizing R&B sensibilities in hip-hop artists. -
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson was an English sea explorer and navigator during the early 17th century, best known for his explorations of present-day Canada and parts of the northeastern United States