Age Of Exploration

Prince Henry the Navigator

Nov 13, 1430

sailed to the Madeiras and Azores, and south, along the coast of Africa, to the western bulge of Africa (Cabo de Não)

Gil Eanes

Nov 14, 1434

set sail in 1434 and rounded Cabo de Não, discovering that the reputed terrors of the southern ocean did not exist

Diogo Cão

Nov 14, 1484

Discovered the mouth of the Congo River.

Christopher Columbus

Aug 3, 1492

(First Voyage) set sail from port of Palos, in southern Spain on August 3, 1492. Sighted land in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, discovered Cuba, Española, and other islands in West Indies. Returned March 4, 1493

Christopher Columbus

Sep 25, 1493

(Second Voyage) set sail from Palos on September 25, 1493, on November 3rd, they sighted the island of Dominica, in the West Indies. He crisscrossed the Caribbean and discovered many islands in the process. There were so many island, the Columbus named the "Las Mil Virgenes" (One Thousand Virgins). He discovered Puerto Rico and sailed on the northern cost of Española, the southern coast of Cuba, Jamaica, and back on the southern coast of Española. Returned to Spain on June 11, 1496.

John Cabot

May 20, 1497

(First Voyage) - Giovanni Caboto born in Genoa, citizen of Venice, sailed for England from Bristol, England, in May 20, 1497. Reached Belle Island on the northern coast of Newfoundland, on June 24, 1497. He sailed down the east coast of Newfoundland, to the southern corner, Landing only on Newfoundland, at Belle Island. He never landed again on the coast, before he returned to England on July 30, 1497

Vasco de Gama

Jul 8, 1497

sailed from Lisbon on July 8, 1497, sailed by the Cape of Good Hope, and reached India. Returned to Lisbon on August 29, 1499

John Cabot

May 13, 1498

sailed from Bristol in May, 1498. His four ships, and crew were lost at sea, and never heard from again.

Christopher Columbus

May 30, 1498

(Third Voyage) Sailed from the port of Sanlucar in Spain on May 30, 1498, Sighted Trinidad on July 31, 1498, reached the coast of South America the Guiana's on August 2, 1498 and sailed west along the coast to Venezuela. He arrived in Española in August 19, 1498.He was arrested by Francisco de Bobadilla, the new Royal Commissioner, along with his brothers, Bartholomew, Diego and sent home in chains, arriving in Spain in October, 1500.

João Fernandes

Nov 14, 1499

An Azorean farmer that sailed from Terceira and viewed Greenland and discovered The Labrador

Christopher Columbus

May 11, 1502

(Fourth Voyage) - Columbus sailed, from the port of Cadiz on May 11, 1502, on his fourth and last voyage searching for a passage to the Spice Islands.. He landed in Martinique on June 15. He arrived in Española on June 29th, seeking protection from a Hurricane. From there, he sailed on the southern coast of Cuba, and across to Honduras, down the coast past Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. He explored Panama for some time, traveling as far east as El Retre

Sabastian Cabot

Nov 14, 1508

son of Giovanni Caboto, born in Venice, sailed from England in 1508 searching for a North West Passage. Not much is known about this trip, and some historians doubt it ever took place. Sebastian told others that he had also accompanied his father, John on his first voyage.

Juan Ponce de Leon

Mar 3, 1513

set sail from San German, Puerto Rico, on March 3, 1513, in search of the Fountain of Youth. They sailed northwest and on April 2nd, sighted, what he thought was a large island, which he gave the name of Pascua Florida, because it was Easter season, and there were many flowers in the area. On April 3rd, he went ashore to claim it for Spain

Hernando Cortéz

Feb 18, 1519

set of to Mexico from Santiago, Cuba on February 18, 1519, with 11 ships, and 600 men and 16 horses. In Tabasco, he acquired the help of Indian girl, Mariana, who became his interpreter and mistress. He allied himself with the Zempoalans and added another 2,000 men to his force. To prevent problem with his men, wanting to go home, he burned all of his ships. Along the way, he kept adding to his army, when all of the enemies of the Aztecs joined forces.

Ferdinand Magellan

Sep 19, 1519

sailed from Sevilla, Spain on September 19, 1519. In February, 1520, they were exploring the coast of Patagonia. Discovered the Straits of Magellan in October, 1520. When he reached the Pacific Ocean, he was so happy, at finding calm waters, the he named it the Pacific Ocean. He was killed in April 27, 1521, off the coast of Mactan Island, Philippines.

Juan Ponce de Leon

Feb 15, 1521

set sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on February 15th, 1521. He went to colonize Florida, and had seeds, and priests to convert the Indians. He reach Sanibel Island, on the west coast of Florida, where he had a battle with the natives, received and arrow wound, that became infected. The returned to Cuba, but he died in July.

John Rut

Jul 21, 1527

set sail from Plymouth, England on June 10th. On July 21st, they arrived in Newfoundland, and looking for the Northwest Passage, sailed as far as Labrador. His ship was seen by Spaniards on Mona Island, and later, November 25, 1527 in Española. The Spanish reported that the ship was lost. In Puerto Rico, they took in supplies and returned to England in the spring of 1528

Jacques Cartier

Apr 20, 1534

(First Voyage) - set sail from Saint-Malo on April 20th, 1534 and made landfall at Newfoundland on May 10th. Cartier sailed all around the coast of Newfoundland, Labrador, Arcadia, and all the islands in the area. He returned on September 5th, 1534.

Jacques Cartier

May 19, 1535

(Second Voyage) - set sail from Saint-Malo on May 19, 1535, and sighted Funk Island on July 7th. They did not stop at Newfoundland but proceeded to explore the area of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the islands in the gulf and Canada. They sailed up the Saguenay and the St. Lawrence River. They arrived at what is now Quebec in September 10th and on October 2nd, the were at the place where Montreal is today.

Jacques Cartier

May 23, 1541

(Third Voyage) - set sail from Saint-Malo on May 23rd, 1541. There were five ships in the fleet, that was going to colonize Canada. On August 23rd, 1541, it anchored off banks of the future Quebec. They established a settlement and continued their exploration, sailing up the Ottawa River. He arrived in Saint-Malo in October, 1542