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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
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
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
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 sailed from Lisbon, Portugal. Many muslim merchants did not like him. -
May 1, 1521
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
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
The purpose was to increase trade in the Eastern Hemisphere. IN 1719 the company was near bankruptcy. It was abolished in 1769.