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May 4, 1488
Voyage of Discovery: Bartolomeu Dias Opens the Sea Route to Asia
Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope, opening the sea route to Asia. -
Aug 3, 1492
Columbus's First Voyage: Discovery of the Bahamas
Christopher Columbus, sponsored by Spain, makes his first voyage to the New World, discovering the Bahamas. -
1497
Cabot's Exploration: John Cabot's Voyage to North America
John Cabot explores the coast of North America under a commission from Henry VII of England, possibly reaching Newfoundland. -
May 20, 1498
The Spice Route Pioneer: Vasco da Gama's Voyage to India
Vasco da Gama reaches India, establishing a direct trade route between Europe and Asia via the Cape of Good Hope. -
Apr 22, 1500
Discovery of Brazil: Pedro Álvares Cabral's Claim for Portugal
Pedro Álvares Cabral claims Brazil for Portugal while en route to India. -
Sep 6, 1510
Portuguese Reach the Spice Islands: Monopoly in the Moluccas
Portuguese explorers reach the Spice Islands (Moluccas), establishing a lucrative spice trade monopoly. -
Period: Sep 20, 1519 to Sep 6, 1522
Magellan's Legacy: The First Circumnavigation of the Globe
Ferdinand Magellan leads the first successful circumnavigation of the globe, although he dies during the journey. -
Feb 18, 1521
The Fall of the Aztec Empire: Cortés's Conquest and Spanish Colonization
Hernán Cortés conquers the Aztec Empire, leading to Spanish colonization of Mexico. -
Nov 16, 1532
Conquest of the Inca: Francisco Pizarro's Rise and the Spanish Dominion in South America
Francisco Pizarro conquers the Inca Empire in present-day Peru, leading to Spanish colonization of South America. -
Period: Dec 13, 1577 to Sep 26, 1580
Drake's Epic Journey: Sir Francis Drake's Circumnavigation and Spanish Raids
Sir Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe, becoming the second to do so and raiding Spanish possessions along the way. -
Period: to
Roanoke Venture: Sir Walter Raleigh's Colonial Expedition
Sir Walter Raleigh sends an expedition to establish the Roanoke Colony in present-day North Carolina, one of England's first attempts at permanent colonization. -
Defeat of the Spanish Armada: England's Triumph at Sea
The Spanish Armada is defeated by the English fleet, marking the decline of Spanish naval dominance and the rise of England as a maritime power. -
Trading Titans: The Establishment of the Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company is established, becoming one of the most powerful trading companies of its time. -
Hudson's Discovery: Exploration of the River that Became His Legacy
Henry Hudson, sailing for the Dutch East India Company, explores the river that would later bear his name, the Hudson River, in present-day New York. -
New Horizons: Founding of the Dutch West India Company
The Dutch West India Company is established to focus on trade and colonization in the Americas. -
Lisbon's Catastrophe: The Great Earthquake and Portugal's Decline
The Great Lisbon Earthquake devastates the city of Lisbon, leading to the decline of Portugal as a major colonial power.