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Jun 6, 1254
Marco Polo travels to China and Persia
Marco Polo is famous for his travels through Asia. He was one of the first Europeans to travel into Mongolia and China. He became famous for his book that told the story of his travels along the Silk Road to China. -
Jun 6, 1451
Christopher Columbus discovers America
He is famous for his voyage in 1492, when he "discovered" America while he was looking for a way to sail to Asia. -
Jun 6, 1454
Amerigo Vesspuci
the continents of North and South America were named in his honor. -
Jun 6, 1460
Vasco Da Gama led an expedition that opened the sea route to India
The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama led an expedition at the end of the 15th century that opened the sea route to India by way of the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. -
Jun 6, 1480
Ferdinand Magellan led a round the world expedition
Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese sea captain. He was the commander of the expedition that became the first to sail around the world. He first went to sea in 1505. -
Jun 6, 1540
Sir Francis Drake led a secret expedition
He wanted to find an undiscovered continent that was thought to lie in the Pacific. In 1577, Queen Elizabeth I chose him to lead a secret expedition to the Pacific coast of North America. -
Abel Tasman discovers Tasmania and New Zealand
He discovered Tasmania,New Zealand and to sight Fiji. -
James Cook discovers Australia
he was the first to lead a sailing expedition around the world successfully. and to discover Australia -
Leif Eriksson discovers North America
he was born in Iceland around 975.In the year 1000, Leif sailed to Norway, which is where his family had originally come from. One story says that while he was in Norway, he may have become a Christian. King Olaf I of Norway wanted Leif to go back to Greenland and teach the Vikings there about Christianity. As Leif was sailing back to Greenland, he was blown off course and he ended up in North America instead of Greenland.