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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
Age of Exploration
This is the timeline of the Age of Exploration. -
Jan 1, 1418
Prince Henry founds a Naviagtion School
About Prince HenryThe exact date and month is unknown, but Prince Henry started the first school for oceanic navigation in 1418. This was made to help sailors find a sea route to Asia and initiated the Age of Exploration. The school trained many of the famous explorers who did important things for the different empires of the Age of Exploration. Andrew Alban -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus Discovers America
About Columbus
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue... and landed in the Bahamas, which he thought to be India. He also started the Columbian Exchange, a trade between Native Americans and the Europeans. He was an Italian that sailed for Spain. On top of that, he opened up the exploration of the Americas to all of the European countries, so they could explore a new continent and claim land there. Andrew Alban -
May 28, 1498
De Gama reaches India
About De Gama
De Gama reached India by traveling 'round the southern tip of Africa, being the first European to reach India and Asia by sea. He sailed for Portugal, which made Portugal the first conutry to sail to India. Several merchants followed De Gama, giving Portugal access to Asian goods. Andrew Alban -
Aug 2, 1513
Juan Ponce de Leon looks for the Fountain of Youth
About Ponce de LeonJuan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer and governor of Puerto Rico, began exploring for the mythical Fountain of Youth, which was a fountain that could grant eternal youth to whoever found it. Andrew Alban -
Sep 20, 1519
Magellan circumnavigated the globe
About Magellan
Magellan, a Portuguese man, sailed for Spain as he circumnavigated the globe, being the first to do so. Although he died in the Phillipines, a few of his man managed to make it back to Spain. Andrew Alban -
Aug 13, 1521
Cortes Destroys the Aztecs
About the conquestStarting in 1521, Cortes, a Spanish conquistador, began his conquest of the Aztecs for their gold and land for Spain. He destroyed the Aztecs in the process, and his captured and killed their leader, Montezuma II. Most of the remaining Aztecs died of European disease. Andrew Alban -
Aug 29, 1533
Pizaro Destroys the Incas
About the conquest Starting in 1533, Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador, began his conquest of the Incas for their gold and land for Spain, and he destroyed the entire empire, killing most of the Incas from disease. He defeated the entire Inca army with only a few hundred conquistadors. Andrew Alban -
May 8, 1541
Hernando De Soto discovers the Mississippi River.
About De Soto
De Soto explored the midwest and around the Mississippi River for Spain, and eventually reached the Mississippi River, becoming the first European to discover it. Rene de la Salle eventually sailed along it after De Soto, and claimed the land at its mouth as Louisiana for France. Andrew Alban -
Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada
About Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada, which allowed other European nations to have access to the New World (America), and made it possible for them to found colonies there as well. Andrew Alban -
Peter Minuit buys Manhattan and founds New Amsterdam
About Peter Minuit
Peter Minuit, a Dutch sailor, bought Manhattan from Indians for about $24 in goods and founded New Amsterdam. This was later captured and renamed New York City, which is what it is called today. Andrew Alban
