History

  • May 1, 1418

    Prince Henry starts a navigation school.

    The exact location of his school is unknown. Europeans concerned with nautical sciences often came here. Teachers here were great scholars.
  • May 1, 1488

    Bartolomeu Dias rounds the southern tip of Africa

    Bartolomeu Dias rounds the southern tip of Africa
    Showed Europeans that there was a possible trade route around the southern tip of Africa. This helped develop a wind system to help sailors after him.
  • May 1, 1492

    Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas

    Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Tordesillas
    The purpose of this treaty was to clear up any confusion about newly claimed lands. The Portugese also wanted to protect their trade route to Africa.
  • May 1, 1492

    Christopher Columbus reaches the Caribbean

    Christopher Columbus reaches the Caribbean
    At first, he thought that he had reached East Asia. Set sail from Palos, Spain. He established a small colony here with 39 of his men.
  • May 1, 1497

    Vasco da Gama reaches the port of Calicut on the Indian Ocean

    Vasco da Gama reaches the port of Calicut on the Indian Ocean
    Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal. Many muslim merchants did not like him.
  • May 1, 1521

    Ferdinand Magellan leads a Spanish expedition to the Phillipines.

    Ferdinand Magellan leads a Spanish expedition to the Phillipines.
    Started at Homonhon Island. He was the first European to reavh this area.
  • May 1, 1564

    Spain begins settlements in the Philippines

    Spain begins settlements in the Philippines
    After Magellan, many more expeditions were sent over. The invasion of the Filipinos by Spain didn't begin until 1564.
  • France sets up its own East India company

    France sets up its own East India company
    The purpose was to increase trade in the Eastern Hemisphere. IN 1719 the company was near bankruptcy. It was abolished in 1769.