Explorations - Anela Mujcic

Black Death

Nov 11, 1346

A huge outbreak of plague carried by rats and fleas killed 25 million people, dramatically decreasing Europe's population by one third. The disease originated in Asia, and was brought over by trade routes. Thousands of people died each day, and those that escaped in attempt to immunize themselves from the disease, only spread the plague further by land and sea.

First Guns Appear in Europe

Nov 14, 1347

The first guns showed up in Europe in 1347, and changed warfare from then on. Most of the guns were highly inconvinient because they required filling with gun powder, but that didn't make them any less deadly. Overall, the first appearance of guns changed warfare and weaponry drastically.

Significant Improvements Made in Ships

Nov 11, 1400

New changes in ships made room for advantages in warfare and trade by sea. The new caravels were lighter and faster, in addition to having more space for goods or people. The improvement of these ships dramatically changed the trade industry and war.

Ptolemy's map is rediscovered

Nov 14, 1406

Ptolemy's long lost map is rediscovered in western Europe in 1406. It is believed to be the best existing map in the world. This map makes Christopher Columbus believe that Asia can be reached by sailing west from Europe, being the motivation for his voyage, and being the inspiration behind his upcoming discoveries.

Guttenberg Bible is printed on a printing press

Nov 14, 1440

The Guttenberg Bible became the first book to be printed on a printing press that uses movable type. The new printing press made it possible for books to be made conviniently and inexpensively. As a result, the Guttenberg Revolution started and knowledge began to spread more rapidly than ever.

The beginning of the Renaissance

Nov 14, 1453

Muslim Turks capture Constantinople, leading to what historians believe is the beginning of the Renaissance.

Bartholomeu Dias reaches the southern tip of Africa

Nov 15, 1487

Bartholomeu Dias became the first European to reach the south tip of Africa: the Cape of Good Hope. Dias wanted to continue sailing to India, but his crew refused so he was forced to turn around, and it was only then that he discovered the Cape of Good Hope. After his failed voyage to India, he helped construct the ships that Vasco de Gama used to continue the voyage from the Cape of Good Hope to India.

Christopher Columbus discovers the American continent.

Nov 11, 1498

Christopher Columbus discovered American land, mistakenely thinking it was part of Asia. The discovery of the new continent paved the way for further explorers to discover trade routes and new countries.

Inca empire extends along coast of South America

Nov 14, 1500

By the 1500's, the Inca empire had extended to most of civilized South America. Atahuallpa became the ruler after defeating his brother for the role. His reign didn't last long though; in the Battle of Cajamarca, Francisco Pizarro's army captured Atahuallpa and conquered the natives. However, the Inca culture can still be seen in Peru today.

The name America appears on a map.

Nov 14, 1507

For the first time, the name America appears on a map, in honor of its founder, Amerigo Vespucchi. The first map containing this name was made by Martin Waldseemuller in 1507.

Balboa discovers Pacific Ocean

Nov 16, 1513

Vasco Nunez de Balboa became the first European to cross the Isthmus of Panama and seeing the Pacific Ocean. Another Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named.

The Ending of the First Voyage Around the World

Nov 14, 1522

Magellan's last ship including seventeen crew members returned to Spain, marking the finish of the first voyage around the world. The voyage led Magellen and the crew across the Atlantic Ocean and to South America. Magellen was killed in a war in the Philippine Islands, leading only 17 crew members to return back to Spain compared to the 250 that set sail.

Atahuallpa is hanged

Nov 15, 1533

After being captured by the army of Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro, Atahuallpa, the emperor of the Inca's is hanged. After, Spain conquered the Inca empire, further diminishing it's power, and adding to the civil war and small pox epedemic the people were suffering through.

Death of Michelangelo

Nov 15, 1564

TThe death of Michelangelo, and the birth of one of the greatest author's to this day influenced a vast majority of the Renaissance in the late 1500's. William Shakespeares works include about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, in addition to a number of other poems.

Galileo's first telescope

Nov 15, 2011

After improving the telescope, Galileo Galilei was the first astronomer to confirm the phases of Venus, the satelites of Jupiter, and the finding of sun spots. He used mathematics and expirimenting to contribute to the idea of the science of motion. Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein both believe that Galileo is the father of modern science, His impact on astronomy landed him his own asteroid: 697 Galilea.

Why I chose these events.

Nov 16, 2011

I chose these 15 events for my timeline because they involve a new discovery of land, or a new invention that affected exploration or technology today. If these specific events had not occured with these people, the world would be much different, simply because a different exploror or inventor from a different place would have found it. Overall, I chose the events that seemed most significant, and were important to the formation of the world as we know today.