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1095
Pope Urban II Calls for the Crusades
The Crusades were a call for Christian Europeans to unite and defeat the Muslims in order to take back the Holy Land. -
1200
Europe's Shift to Trade
Europe shifted its focus to the trading industry, with power being transferred from the countryside to the cities, eventually building fairs and developing cities. -
1254
Birth of Marco Polo
Marco Polo, a European voyager known for his publicized travels to Asia and success in trade, was born into a family of merchants. -
1293
Polos' Journey to Home Begins
After their long expedition to Asia, the Polos begin their journey back to Venice, Italy. -
1298
Marco Polo is Captured in War and Writes Book
During a battle between Venice and its rival city of Genoa, Marco Polo was captured and met a writer who motivated him to write a book chronicling his travels to Asia. -
1415
Portugal Captures the Fortress of Ceuta
Securing their lead in the race for exploration with Spain, Portugal takes control of the African Fortress of Ceuta, allowing them to set up trading posts and exploit the plethora of resources Africa had to offer. -
1419
Portugal's Discovery of the Madeira Islands
Aided by Prince Henry's funding, the Portuguese were able to reach the Madeira Islands, providing an incentive for Portugal to travel farther south on the coast of Africa. -
1427
Portugal's Discovery of the Azores Islands
Following their discovery of the Madeira Islands, Portugal ventured farther south and encountered the Azores Islands, encouraging further attempts to travel south of Africa -
1434
Portugal's First Successful Return from Cape Bojador
In 1434, after multiple failed attempts to travel around Cape Bojador in the northern Sahara, one ship finally made a successful return to Portugal. -
1469
Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain
Ferdinand and Isabella, royalty from Aragon and Castile, married and unified Imperial Spain under the crowns of their respective kingdoms. -
1485
Columbus Appeals to Portugal for Funding a Western Journey
Christopher Columbus presents his plan to King John II of Portugal, consisting of an attempt to reach the Spice Islands through a western route. He is rejected and moves on to asking the same request of the crowns of Genoa, Venice, England, and Spain, all of which initially reject him. -
1488
Eastern Coast of Africa Reached
Bartolomeu Días, a Portuguese explorer, reaches the eastern coast of Africa for the first time, marking a milestone of making it around the southern tip of Africa. -
Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Makes Landfall in the Americas
Columbus's voyage west culminated as he made landfall on the island of Hispaniola on this date. Although he believed to have landed in the East Indies, in reality, he had encountered an entirely new continent. -
1498
Discovery of Sea Route to the Indies
At the pinnacle of Portugal's achievements in exploration, the voyage of Vasco da Gama finally reaches India and secures Portugal's position of power and wealth. -
Hobbes Publishes the Leviathan
Thomas Hobbes published this philosophical work that focused on the power of the sovereign. -
Locke Publishes the Second Treatise on Government
With a more optimistic outlook on the reason of man, scholar John Locke intends to share his ideas with others through the publication of this paper. -
Congress Unanimously Adopts the Declaration of Independence
On this date, the Second Continental Congress officially severed ties with the British crown, adopting this historical document. -
French Declaration of the Rights of Man Approval
Paralleling the events of a few years prior, the National Assembly of France approves a historical document pertaining to their own revolution. -
French Revolution Culminates
The French overthrow their monarchy and adopt the Rights of Man, which declare that all men are equal. However, at the time, Saint Domingue still has slavery. -
Saint-Domingue's Slave Rebellion Begins
Led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, the enslaved people of color on the island rebel against plantation owners -
Dessalines Leads Slaves to Victory
On this date, the hundreds of thousands of Saint-Domingue's slaves were led to freedom against their oppressors by former slave and general Jean-Jacques Dessalines. -
Bonaparte's Invasion of Spain
The French Emperor's hypocrisy influenced leaders like Bolívar to begin a revolution. -
Bolívar Invades Venezuela
Looking to liberate Venezuela, Simon Bolívar began the Admirable Campaign by invading it with his men. -
Liberation of Santiago, Chile
Bolívar launches a surprise attack on Spanish soldiers to liberate Santiago. (I was not able to upload a picture, I had the error ETMA-UPL-422 and I am not sure what that means.) -
Moses Austin Plans for a Colony in Texas
As the United States is plunged into an economic recession, Moses Austin's wealth evaporated. Planning to gain back what he had lost, Austin designs a plan for American families to move to Texas and start a colony. -
Austin Crosses Into East Texas
Although his son discouraged the plan, Moses was resolved to follow it through. He reached Texas and eventually ventured to San Antonio later that year. -
Creation of Gran Columbia and Liberation of Peru
After capturing and freeing the capital of Peru, Bolívar creates Gran Colombia. -
Austin Secures Land Grant and Returns to Texas
In the beginning of the year, the Imperial Colonization Law was passed, ensuring Austin's colony's success. Because of the law, he was able to bring in more families from the United States. He returned to Texas in the spring. -
Bolívar Becomes Dictator of Peru
Shortly before the creation of the Republic of Bolivia, Bolívar became dictator of Peru. -
San Felipe de Austin Established as Capital
In 1824, Austin appointed San Felipe de Austin the capital of his colony. -
Austin Furthers Colonization Attempts
Austin was able to attain four more contracts for colonies between this year and the following six. -
Growth of San Felipe de Austin
San Felipe's population grew quickly, attaining between 100 and 200 residents at this time. -
Surprise Attack at Gonzales
An argument over a cannon spurred this battle, and the Texans reigned victorious. -
Goliad Campaign
Texan soldiers marched towards Goliad, looking to gain land on the Mexican soldiers. They succeeded, increasing morale and gaining military supplies. -
Grass Fight
A skirmish where the Texans intended to intercept Mexican cavalry and take their supplies, only gaining grass. -
Capture of Bexar
The Texans gain control of San Antonio, and many American volunteers return to their homes, believing that the Texans are safe. -
Siege of the Alamo Begins
Mexican troops bombard the Texans, aiming to take back control of the Alamo from the Texans. -
Mexicans Emerge Victorious at the Alamo
Led by Santa Anna, Mexican troops killed over 200 Texans at the Alamo. -
Goliad Massacre
Santa Anna ordered the execution of Texan prisoners. Some escaped in the gunfire, but many were killed. -
Battle of San Jacinto
Avenging their fallen soldiers, Texans rush into battle with the cries "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!"