Walters the Explorer

Black Plague Epidemic

Jun 6, 1346

The black death sweeps across Europe and surrounding areas, killing 25 millions people, or 1/3 of the world population. The black death originated in Asia and quickly spread due to the trading that was going on. It started out in Port cities but quickly spread out into the country. The disease affected just about everyone, but those with a natural immunity lived.

First guns appear in Europe

Jun 6, 1347

The first guns appear in Europe. The man who first invented the gun is unknown, but he contributed a weapon that is now forever imprinted into history. The gun was used by explorers and conquerers alike. Due to the gun the explorers had an upper hand on natives and could easily take their gold and lang.

Writer tells how to use Astrolabe

Jun 6, 1390

Author of "Canterbury Tales," Geoffrey Chaucer, wrote a book that tells how to construct and use the astrolabe, an instrument for navigating by the stars. The astrolabe served as the main navigational tool for early explorers for a long time. Judging on the stars the astrolabe could tell which direction was where.

Bible Printed On Cheap Paper

Jun 6, 1440

The Guttenberg Bible is printed on a printing press that uses movable type. This invention made it possible for books to be made inexpensively, and, as a result, knowledge began to spread more rapidly than ever before in history. The Bible now still has 21 complete, bibles still around.

Bartholomeu Becomes First European to Reach Cape of Good Hope

Jun 6, 1487

Explorer Bartholomeu Dias becomes the first European to reach the sounthern tip of Africa: The Cape of Good Hope. Bartholomeu was a Portugese nobleman who sailed around the southern most tip of africa, Cape of Good Hope. The mission of going down around was to try and find a trade route to India. Afterwards there were many follow-up voyages.

Columbus discovers the west Indies in the New World

Jun 6, 1492

Columbus discovers the West Indies in the new World. Columbus also learns that compasses change direction slightly as the longitude changes. After seven centuries, the last Moslems are driven from Spanish soil. Leonardo Da Vinci draws a plan for a flying machine

Columbus Discovers American Continent

Jun 6, 1498

Columbus discvovers American continent but thinks it is Asia. Columbus sailed out of port of Palos with his three ships, The Nina, The Pinta, and The Santa Maria. Left to find Asia because he heard there was abundance in golds, spices, and pearls.He sailed west until he hit land, thinking it was Asia he landed and met with the natives.

Columbus Dies

Jun 6, 1506

In 1506 one of the most famous and dedicated explorers of all time died. He died by a heart attack, likely caused by an automimmune form of arthritis. This caused joint swelling, eye disease, and urinary infections. When he died he was still unaware he wasn't in Asia

Balboa crosses the Isthmus of Panama

Jun 6, 1513

Starting as a failed farmer, Balboa, deep in debt, was a stow away with his dog on a boat of supplies. Sailing to San Sabastian in 1510. Balboa created an alliance between Spain and Comogre people. In 1513 Balboa set out with 190 Spanish soldiers and over 1000 Native Americans and crossed the isthmus

Smallpox Kill Native Americans

Jun 6, 1514

Smallpox brought over by Europeans exploring and conquering the new world, kills off many Native Americans. In 1515 just a year after it starts, 2/3's of the native american population is dead or infected.

Magellans Five Ships return

Jun 6, 1522

The last remaining of Magellans five ships with its crew of seventeen men, return to Spain, ending the first voyage around the world.