Age of Exploration

European voyages of discovery that connected the world

October 12, 1492 CEpolitical

Christopher Columbus lands in the Bahamas, initiating sustained European contact with the Americas.

San Salvador, Bahamas

May 20, 1498 CEeconomic

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrives in Calicut, establishing a sea route from Europe to India.

Kozhikode, India

September 20, 1519 CEcultural

Ferdinand Magellan departs Spain with five ships, beginning the first circumnavigation of the Earth.

Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain

August 13, 1521 CEbattle

Hernán Cortés captures Tenochtitlan after a siege, ending the Aztec Empire.

Mexico City, Mexico

November 16, 1532 CEbattle

Francisco Pizarro captures Inca emperor Atahualpa at Cajamarca, beginning Spanish conquest of Peru.

Cajamarca, Peru

September 26, 1580 CEcultural

Sir Francis Drake returns to England after circumnavigating the globe, the first Englishman to do so.

Plymouth, England