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Nov 7, 1346
Black Death Outbreak
The Black Plague broke out in an epidemic in Europe. It killed a third of the population, up to 25 million people. It set Europeans back dramatically, causing economy and numbers to decline. -
Nov 7, 1406
Rediscovery of Ptolemy's Map
Ptolemymade a map of the world in the second century. Its rediscovery in western Europe made it the most popularly used map by explorers, despite its considerable age. It also convinced Christopher Columbus that he would arrive in Asia by sailing west of Europe. -
Nov 7, 1418
School of Navigation Established
Prince Henry the Navigator improved the world of navigation for explorers without ever actually exploring himself. He organized the School of Navigation on Cape St. Vincent in Portugal. It served as a base for explorers and helped them plot voyages. -
Nov 7, 1420
Caravels Built
Caravels were improved, fast sailing ships that made round-trip voyages easier to sail through. They were first built in 1420, and became a popular and more efficient vehicle of exploration. At the same time, Asians began sailing into the Atlantic Ocean by voyaging around Cape of Good Hope. -
Nov 7, 1465
Navigation by Stars Improves
During the Age of Exploration, explorers relied on the stars to determine where in the world they were. Devices were invented to help make this process easier, including the astrolabe, sextant, etc. As explorers grew more skilled at navigating by stars, more success was met on voyages. -
Nov 7, 1487
Bartholomeu Dias Reaches Cape of Good Hope
During this time, Europeans began exploring the coast of Africa. Many did not hold much knowledge on African geography and few traveled far south along the coast. Bartholomeu Dias was the first European to finally reach the southernmost tip of Africa, also known as the Cape of Good Hope. -
Nov 7, 1492
Columbus Discovers West Indies
As Columbus voyaged into the New World, he came across the West Indies located in between North and South America. This opened up exploration opportunities for other explorers. In addition, he realized that the direction of a compass depended on the longitude it was read at. -
Nov 7, 1497
Vasco da Gama reaches India
During this time, Europeans were separated from Indian trade by Arabian Muslims on the other side of the Mediterranean, and wanted to find a new route to India. Vasco da Gama, a Portugese explorer, accomplished this. He became the first explorer to reach India by sailing around the southern tip of Africa. This opened a new route from Portugal to India. -
Nov 8, 1498
Columbus "Discovers" America
Columbus reached the American continent during one of his later voyages. He was oblivious to the fact that it was part of the New World, instead believing that he reached Asia. He remained oblivious to the true nature of his "discovery" for the rest of his life. -
Nov 8, 1507
New World Map Includes America
After Amerigo Vespucchi realized Christopher Columbus's error in navigating to Asia, a new map of the world was issued. In this new map edition, the southern continent that Columbus mistakened for Asia, was named America. The name "America" was made in tribute to Vespucchi's geographical correction. -
Nov 9, 1514
Smallpox Epidemic
In addition to new ideas and technology, the Europeans also carried disease over to the Americas. Although most Europeans had developed a significant amount of immunity to smallpox, Native Americans had developed none. Many died from exposure to this new disease, wiping out many populations. This became an advantage for Europeans conquering lands in the New World. -
Nov 9, 1521
Fall of the Aztecs
The Aztec Empire, one of the most powerful ruling groups found in the New World, succumbed to the Spanish army. After the Spaniards destroyed the empire, they began the construction of New Spain (Mexico City). Construction began at the new capital, built over the remains of Tenochitlan. -
Nov 9, 1522
Magellan Voyages Around the World
As Columbus's voyages to "Asia" were exploited to be false, and Europeans became aware of the New World, Magellan was sent out to find the true sailing route to Asia. He navigated around the Americas with five ships and a seventeen-man crew, arriving back in Spain in 1522. This became the first circumnavigation in history. -
Nov 9, 1533
Fall of the Incas
As the Spanish began dominating in the New World, they also conquered another powerful empire, the Inca Empire. Although the empire was already in decline by smallpox outbreaks and a civil war, the conquest was made official when Pizzaro finally hanged the Incan emperor, Atahualpa, after capturing him earlier on. -
English Becomes New Powerhouse
After producing a great deal of explorers and successful voyagers, Spain was outpowered by the English. Sir Francis Drake and another commander destroyed the Spanish fleet including the Armada, at Spain the previous year. Consequently, England replaced Spain as the greatest marine power in the world. -
Summary
These events were chosen because they represented milestones in the development of exploration and navigation. Many of the events, such as the improvement of maps or sailing devices, helped develop the science of navigation. Others, like the accomplishments of countries or explorers, opened up new sea routes and opportunities for wealth/power. Some events set back certain civilizations, like the Black Death, or fall of ancient American empires, but eventually led to the prosper of others.
