-
200
Invention of the astrolabe
An astrolabe is an instrument that was used to determine the altitude of objects in the sky (like the sun or stars). It was first used around 200 B.C. by astronomers in Greece. -
Mar 4, 1394
Prince Henry the Navigator
Henry the Navigator was an important figure in 15th-century Portuguese politics and in the early days of the Portuguese Empire and the Age of Discoveries. -
Aug 3, 1492
Columbus’s First Voyage
Columbus begins his journey to the Americas with three ships and about 100 men.On August 10 he arrived at the Canary Islands and stopped for provisions and repairs. -
Sep 1, 1493
second Voyage (1493-1496)
In September, Columbus sets sail from the Gulf of Cádiz westward with a crew of 1,500 people aboard 17 ships.On November 22, the fleet arrives at the colony Columbus previously established in Hispaniola. -
Jun 7, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas is signed
Agreement between Spain and Portugal aimed at settling conflicts over lands explored by voyagers of the late 15th century. -
Jan 1, 1497
Vasco Da Gama reaches India
The Portuguese nobleman Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed from Lisbon in 1497 on a mission to reach India and open a sea route from Europe to the East. After sailing down the western coast of Africa and rounding the Cape of Good Hope, his expedition made numerous stops in Africa before reaching the trading post of Calicut, India, in May 1498. -
May 30, 1498
Third Voyage (1498-1500)
On May 30, Columbus and his new fleet of six ships set sail from Sanlucar in Spain.On June 19, Columbus arrives at Gomera in the Canary Islands. From there, half of his fleet travels to Hispaniola. Columbus and the rest of the ships sail for Cape Verde Islands.1500 – On August 23, Columbus is arrested for allegedly torturing the native people living in his colony. He is chained, and returned to Spain. -
May 11, 1502
Fourth Voyage (1502-1506)
four ships, Columbus sets sail from Spain.On July 30, Columbus arrives in Nicaragua.1503 - In January, Columbus establishes a fort in Rio Belen. It is soon attacked by natives, prompting a decision to return to Spain.1504 - On June 19, Columbus finally is rescued and begins the journey back to Spain. Crew rescued from Jamaica after more than a year on the island.1506 – On May 20 while in Valladolid, Christopher Columbus dies after enduring an unknown disease for years. Modern scientists specul -
Aug 1, 1519
Magellan’s crew circumnavigates the world
Ferdinand Magellan was the first person to circumnavigate the world. He was also the person to find a way through South America and to establish trade routes to the Spice Islands. He was Portuguese for most of his life until he decided to become Spanish. -
Leif Erikson
Vinland was the name given to an area of North America by Norse Vikings, discovered by Norseman Leif Erikson. He was the first Eurpean to land in north America. He died in 1020.
