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Portugal seizes the North African port of Ceuta, marking the beginning of its overseas expansion and interest in exploring the African Coast -
Dias become the first European to sail around the southern tip of America, opening a sea route to Asia -
Columbus, sailing for Spain, reaches the Bahamas, initiating European exploration and colonization of the Americas -
Spain and Portugal agree to divide newly discovered lands outside Europe along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands -
Cabot, under English commission, sails to the coast of Newfoundland, laying the groundwork for British claims in the new world -
Da Gama successfully sails to Calicut, India, establishing a direct maritime link between Europe and Asia -
Cabral lands on the coast of present day Brazil, claiming it for Portugal under the Treaty of Tordesillas. -
Balboa crosses the Isthmus of Panama and become the first European to view the pacific from the new world -
Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth, proving the world’s roundness and vastness -
verrazzano, sailing for France explores the Atlantic coast of North America, including New York bay -
Cartier navigates the St. Lawrence River, claiming parts of Canada for France -
Drake becomes the first Englishman to sail around the world, boosting England's maritime prestige -
The English navy defeat Spain’s Armada, marking a shift in naval supremacy and encouraging English exploration -
England establishes its first permanent colony in North America at Jamestown, Virginia -
Champlain establishes Quebec City, solidifying French presence in North America -
Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, explores the Mississippi River and claims the Louisiana territory for France