Larry

By Larrymedrano
  • 1419

    Prince Henry the Navigator Establishes a Navigation School

    Prince Henry of Portugal founded a school for navigation, which helped advance maritime technology and trained explorers.
  • 1488

    Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

    Dias became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, proving a sea route to Asia was possible.
  • 1492

    Christopher Columbus Lands in the Caribbean

    Columbus, sailing for Spain, reached the Americas, believing he had found a route to Asia.
  • 1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas

    Spain and Portugal agreed to divide newly discovered lands along a meridian, giving Spain control of most of the Americas.
  • 1497

    Cabot Explores North America

    Cabot, sailing for England, reached the coast of present-day Canada, claiming land for England.
  • 1498

    Vasco da Gama Reaches India

    Vasco da Gama successfully sailed to India, establishing direct trade between Europe and Asia.
  • 1500

    Pedro Álvares Cabral Discovers Brazil

    While sailing to India, Cabral landed in Brazil, claiming it for Portugal.
  • 1521

    Hernán Cortés Conquers the Aztec Empire

    Cortés led an expedition that defeated the Aztecs and claimed Mexico for Spain.
  • 1533

    Francisco Pizarro Conquers the Inca Empire

    Pizarro captured and killed the Incan ruler Atahualpa, securing Spanish control over Peru.
  • 1534

    Jacques Cartier Explores Canada

    Cartier claimed parts of Canada for France, naming the region “New France.”

  • The Defeat of the Spanish Armada

    England, under Queen Elizabeth I, defeated Spain’s powerful navy, solidifying its maritime dominance.

  • Founding of Jamestown

    England established its first permanent colony in North America, which later played a key role in the British Empire.

  • Samuel de Champlain Founds Quebec

    Champlain established Quebec as a fur trade hub and France’s first permanent settlement in North America.

  • Henry Hudson Explores the Hudson River

    While searching for a Northwest Passage, Hudson explored the river that now bears his name.

  • La Salle Explores the Mississippi River

    La Salle traveled down the Mississippi River, claiming the Louisiana Territory for France.

  • French and Indian War Begins

    A conflict between France and England over North American territory, leading to the loss of French control in Canada.