Explorers

Vikings, Leif Eriksson, and Vinland

Jun 1, 1000

In 1000 AD, Leif Eriksson and other Vikings set sail from Greenland heading west, to find new hunting grounds. They arrived at a part of Canada called Vinland. They lived here, but then the Native Americans drove them out. Then Greenlanders wrote sagas about these trips.

Marco Polo

May 1, 1200

Marco Polo, a trader, traveled across Asia, explored it, and wrote a book about China. He inspired nobles to travel to Asia to obtain silk and spices.

Constantinople

Jan 1, 1400

Europeans and Asians trade goods like spices, and silk in Constantinople. But sadly, Musilums took over this place and made explorers find new routes to China and India.

Prince Henry

Jan 1, 1418

Prince Henry, a Portuguese navigator, made a schools teaching Europeans how to read maps, make maps, and other navigating tools. Then the Europeans could sail.

Bartholomeu Dias

Jul 15, 1450

In ~1450, Portuguese explorer Dias, sailed around Africa passing Sao Jorge de Mina, Angola, Walvis Bay, Elizabeth Bay, Mossel Bay, and Algoa Bay.

Martin Behaim

Jan 1, 1492

Martin Behaim, a cartographer, was asked by Europeans to make a round globe. He made it around 1492 and called it "Earth Apple."

Christopher Columbus

Jul 1, 1492

Christopher Columbus sets sail west from Europe to arrive at Asia, but they actually arrived at North America wirthout knowing it. He landed on a small island called Guanahani, and he named the people there Indians because he was sure he arrived in India.

Guanahani Island

Jul 17, 1492

Guanahani is the island that Christopher Columbus landed on in 1492. He thought it was India so he called the Native Americans there "Indians." He called it a "little island."

Giovanni Caboto

Aug 7, 1497

Giovanni Caboto, and Italian explorer, sailed to Canada and claimed it for England. He help them because he moved to there when he was little in age.

Vasco de Gama

May 16, 1500

Vasco de Gama, a Portuguese explorer, sailed with Bartholomeu Dias around Africa to India. People admire him because he found a route to India where they could trade.

Amerigo Vespucci

Jul 16, 1500

Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer, sailed to Dominion Republic, Hispaniola, and Rio Grande. He explored the Caribbean and Parts of South America. America was named after him, Amerigo.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Jun 15, 1513

In 1513, Balboa became the first European explorer to reach the Pacific. He saw the Pacific from a peak in Panama. They claimed all the land he explored for Spain.

Ferdinand Magellan

Sep 26, 1519

In 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who was the first to sail around the world. He went throught the Strait of Magellan, which was named after him, through the Philipines, and around Africa back to Portugal.