European Explorers

Christopher Columbus

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus was the first state-sponsored European to voyage to the Americas. He sailed under the Spanish flag. Although Columbus was not the first European to visit the Americas, he was influential in the expansion of exploration in the Americas.

Ferdinand Magellan

Sep 20, 1519

Ferdinand Magellan, under Spanish flag, was tasked with circumnavigating the globe. While he died before his journey was complete, his crew completed his mission and arrived back in Spain almost three years later. Magellan's voyage may have ended in disaster, but the knowledge of the Earth gained by Spain and all of Europe may have been more valuable than any riches Magellan's crew could have brought back.