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200
Invention of the astrolabe
The astrolabe was invented by a Greek astronomer named Hipparchus, or at least he is often credited with its invention. This invention was created in about 200 B.C. The astrolabe is an aparatus that is used to tell position on the sea by lining it up with the horizon and North Star. This is how early explorers knew where they reletively were on the ocean. This devie played an enourmous part in the age of exploration. -
Jan 1, 1000
Leif Eriksson lands in “Vinland”
Some people believe that Columbus was not the first European to reach the Americas, but it was in fact, Lief Erickson. He was an Icelandic Viking that made his was to ¨vinland" which is present day Canada. This Norse explorer is regarded as the first European to land in North America, nearly 500 years before Columbus -
Sep 10, 1488
Bartholomeu Dias sails to southern tip of Africa
Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa. He opened up way for the newest sea route from Europe to Asia. He was a Portugese explorer. Dias’ ships rounded the Cape of Good Hope and then sailed around Africa’s southernmost point, Cabo das Agulhas, to enter the Indian Ocean. -
Aug 3, 1492
Columbus’s First Voyage
On August 3, !492, Christopher columbus departed from Span to try and secover a new route to Asia. He thought that if he sailed wes, eventually he would sail all the way around the world and eventually reach Asia. He actually ended up in present day Cuba. He called this the West Indies, thinking he was just west of India. Columbus was met with native Americans and they brought him parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks' -
May 4, 1493
The Line of Demarcation
The Line of Demarcation was an imaginary division of territory on the Earth at 50 degrees longitude, which was used to separate the boundaries of Portugal and Spain made in the year 1493 by Pope Alexander VI and later by Pope Julian II. Spain controlled territory west of the line, while Portugal controlled territory east of the line. The line was moved 800 miles further west with the signing of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 a year later. -
May 20, 1498
Vasco Da Gama reaches India
Da Gama sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and continued on to India. He made many stop in Africa and had problems with Muslim traders who did not want them to mess up in their profitable trade routes, da Gama reached Calicut, India. At first, Vasco da Gama and his trading were doing well, but it didn't last for long. Da Gama left India on August 29, after he was told to pay a large tax and leave all of his trading goods. When he left, da Gama took his goods with him along with some slaves. -
Jan 1, 1507
Vespucci maps South America’s coastline
Amerigo Vespucci was born in Italy he became a merchant and explorer who took part in early voyages to the New World for Spain. By that time, Christopher Columbus had already “discovered” several Caribbean and Central American islands, yet it’s Vespucci’s name that made it. In 1507, using these letters as his guide, a German cartographer created a new map, naming the territory now known as South America in Vespucci’s honor. Whis was the first time, the word “America” was ever printed. -
Jan 1, 1519
Magellan’s crew circumnavigates the world
Ferdinand Magellin and his crew, save Magellin himself, who died about 3/4 the way around, were the first people ever to circumnavigate the globe. The voyage took about 3 to 4 years to complete. Ferdinand Magellin was a portugese explorer that led his spanish crew to the circumnavigation. Many people died throughout the long journey. -
Mar 1, 1519
Cortes lands in Mexico
Cortes lead a Spanish expedition consisting of 11 ships westward in hopes of expanding the Empire. Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, heard that some of his men had found land past the west oceanic horizon. Velasquez appointed Hernan Cortes as Captain-General of the Armada and sent him off to follow the rumor. -
Henry Hudson sails up the Hudson River
Henry Hudson was not the first person to visit the Hudson River, but his name was given to it because he sailed up the hudson looking for a route to the north pole. Though he did not succeed in this, he reached a higher lattitude than any other navigtor had before him. Their ship was called the Half Moon. They were forced into the river by a strong northwind. Hudson was a very brave and determined explorer.
