-
Nov 7, 1346
The Black Death
The bubonic plague is a deadly disease most known for its outbreak in Europe during the 1300's. It nearly halved Europe's population, killing 25 million people. The constant death surrounding people of that pandemic caused them to think about their principles and the afterlife. This then prompted the Renaissance, which had many things to do with the reformation of religion. -
Nov 7, 1347
First Guns
The first type of gun ever created in Europe was designed in 1347. These guns used gun powder, as a fuel in a way. Firearms this early were very inacurate and were very inconvenient. European civilization such as the Spanish, utilized these weapons against their enemies. -
Nov 7, 1406
First Ever Drawn Map Is Found Again!
Ptolomey's map was lost to the world centuries. It was rediscovered in western Europeto in 1406. It became the best existing map of the world in that time. It led Columbus to believe that Asia could be reached by sailing west from Europe. -
Nov 7, 1418
School of Navigation
The Portugese prince Henry sponsered several voyages down Africa's west coast. He did not, however, go on these himself, but yet he's known as Henry the Navigator today for his work on these voyages. The school itself was in Sagres, Portugal, and students would learn map-making, navigation, and science. This prepared potential sailors for voyages to Africa, and the result of these were much-needed maps of the areas explored. -
Nov 7, 1442
Black Slaves
The first auctions of black slaves take place in Portugal. Black slaves were detrimental to European economy and culture. Slaves were the main income of Africa, it exported around ten million. The wide market of slaves was abolished in the United States after the Civil War in the 19th century, but it still exists in other parts of the world. -
Nov 7, 1465
Stars Are The Way To Travel
Sailors began using sextnts to navigate. They found their locations by calculating angles of different celestial objects, as opposed to others, and the ocean,the sun, and the moon. This helped them find their way to their desired location. -
Nov 8, 1498
It's Asia! Oh wait... Is It America?
Columbus discovers the American continent. He believes that it is part of Asia. He calls the Native Americans, Indians, since he believes it is India. They are still called that by many today. -
Nov 8, 1499
South America Is Its OWN Continent
Amerigo Vespucci explores along the coast of South America. He decides that it is a new continent. This contradicted Columbus's theory that it was part of Asia, but was accepted nonetheless. America was then named in honor of its 'founder', Amerigo. -
Nov 9, 1507
And We Shall Call It... America!
The Naming of America A new map of the world uses the name "America" for the newly discovered southern continent in honor of Amerigo Vespucchi. Johannes Ruysch an explorer, cartographer, astronomer and painter from the Low Countries produced the second oldest known printed representation of the New World. The Ruysch map was published and widely distributed in 1507. -
Nov 9, 1513
Pacific Ocean is Discovered!
Balboa led an expedition across Panama looking for gold, but discovered the Pacific Ocean instead. It took 24 days for his group of 190 Spaniards and 1000 natives to cross the 45 miles of jungle. On September 29, 1513 they reached the Pacific Ocean and claimed all the land that touched the Pacific Ocean for Spain. -
Nov 9, 1514
The Attack of the Small Pox
Small PoxThe Europeans were so plagued by smallpox that they began to grow immune to it. Although they were not personally affected by it, they still carried the disease in their germs. When they reached the New World, it began to spread to the Native Americans. The Natives had never encountered this disease before, and were, therefore, easily affected by it and had a great portion of their populations wiped out. -
Nov 9, 1522
All Good Things Must Come to an End
This year marked the end to the world's first voyage around the world. The last remaining of Magellan's five ships returned to their home in Spain. The crew was composed of 17 men. -
Nov 12, 1540
Exploring The American Southwest
In February 1540, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado began his exploration of South-West North America in search of the Seven Cities of Gold. Coronado lead an expedition that consist of 340 Spanish, 300 Indians, 1000 horses, and 1000 slaves. Upon his return he brought stories of seven magnificent cities of the Native Americans. He described the main city of Cibola as “the best and largest of all those that have been discovered." -
Nov 9, 1577
Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis DrakeThis year was a big year for Drake. In 1570, Sir Francis Drake set out on a voyage in hopes to be the first to circumnavigate the globe. His voyage took three years, ending in 1580. He indeed reached his goal and he became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe -
Smoking is Such A Bad Habit
Walter RaleighEuropeans that smoke can thank American History for their addictive habit. This year, SIr Walter Raleigh imprted the habit of smoking tobacco from Viginia to none other then England. -
England, The Greatest Sea Power?
Armada Sir Francis Drake was an experienced English navigator, explorer, and privateer. He led a fleet of ships against the Spanish Armada and also sailed for Queen Elizabeth I. He was only the second person to successfully sail around the world, and the first Englishman to do so. -
Why Were These So Important?
The events I chose to put in this timeline were selected for many purposes. The most commonly used reason is for their great impact on the world today. The discovery of continents like that by Amerigo Vespucci changed the view of the world by everyone, it was discovered that there was more to the world than anyone previously knew (the world is in fact round.) The idea that you could trade more than just goods, but diseases was huge. -
Why Are These So Important 2
This was shown though the Black Death, and made vaccines a necessity. Major "firsts" were also a huge deal in this timeline like the first journey around the earth, the first circumnavigation of the world, and the first English settlement in the New World. These firsts changed the motives of the world. Now everyone wants to be the "first" to discover something. All of these events I picked for my timeline helped show that we wouldn't be where we are today, without exploration.
