Exploration

132 sourced events. Showing 25-48.

Events

Exploration Timeline

Exploration 16th Century Latin America & Caribbean

Magellan Enters Strait Leading to Pacific

During the early 16th century, European powers raced to find a western sea route to Asia's spice trade. Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, sailing for Spain with a fleet of five ships, had endured mutinies and the loss of vessels while probing South America's southern coast. On October 21, 1520, the remaining three ships located the narrow, winding entrance to what became known as the Strait of Magellan. Crews spent over a month battling currents, winds, and unknown channels before emerging into a vast new ocean Magellan named the Pacific. This passage provided the first European route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans around South America, enabling the expedition's eventual circumnavigation of the globe despite Magellan's death in the Philippines.

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1520

Exploration 16th Century Global

Magellan Fleet Enters the Pacific Ocean

In the early 16th century, European powers raced to find western routes to Asian spices after the Portuguese controlled the eastern path around Africa. Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, sailing for Spain, led five ships from Seville in September 1519. After a grueling Atlantic crossing, mutinies, and months navigating the tortuous strait at South America's southern tip that now bears his name, the remaining three vessels emerged into open water. On November 28, 1520, Magellan named the vast, relatively calm sea the Mar Pacifico, or Pacific Ocean. The fleet then began the longest leg of its voyage, crossing the ocean in 98 days with severe shortages of food and water that claimed many lives.

Event Detail

1521

Exploration 16th Century Southeast Asia

Magellan Expedition Reaches the Philippines

By early 1521, Ferdinand Magellan's Spanish-backed fleet had endured a grueling Pacific crossing from South America, marked by starvation, scurvy, and the loss of most ships and crew. After sighting Guam in early March, the remaining vessels sighted the Philippine archipelago on March 16. The expedition anchored at Homonhon Island, where the crew rested, traded with local inhabitants, and learned of nearby islands and customs. This marked the first documented European contact with the Philippines. Magellan claimed the islands for Spain as the Islas de San Lázaro, establishing an initial alliance and setting the stage for further exploration and eventual Spanish colonization in the region.

Event Detail

1521

Exploration 16th Century Southeast Asia

Ferdinand Magellan Killed at Battle of Mactan

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer sailing for Spain, had led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe by crossing the Pacific Ocean and reaching the Philippine archipelago in March 1521. Seeking to convert local rulers and expand Spanish influence, he allied with Rajah Humabon of Cebu but faced resistance from Datu Lapulapu on Mactan Island. On April 27, Magellan landed with a small force of about 60 men to subdue Lapulapu and enforce Christian conversion. In the ensuing battle, Magellan was struck by a poisoned arrow and surrounded by warriors wielding spears and swords; his retreating comrades left him to die on the beach. His death ended the immediate European presence in the area but did not halt the expedition,...

Event Detail US Military Atlas

1522

Exploration 16th Century Europe

Victoria Returns Completing First World Circumnavigation

Ferdinand Magellan's ambitious expedition departed Spain in 1519 with five ships seeking a western route to the Spice Islands, though Magellan himself perished in the Philippines in 1521. Under the command of Basque navigator Juan Sebastián Elcano, the sole surviving vessel Victoria continued westward across the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and endured severe hardships including starvation and Portuguese harassment. On September 6, 1522, after nearly three years at sea, Victoria arrived at Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain with just 18 survivors from the original crew of over 200. The ship carried a valuable cargo of spices that helped offset the expedition's enormous costs. This return provided the first empirical proof that the Earth could be circumnavigated...

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1534

Exploration 16th Century North America

Jacques Cartier Enters Gulf of St. Lawrence

In the spring of 1534, French King Francis I commissioned navigator Jacques Cartier to seek a western passage to Asia and claim new lands for France. Cartier departed Saint-Malo in April with two ships and reached the eastern coast of North America after a transatlantic crossing. On May 10 he entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence, becoming the first documented European to explore that body of water and the surrounding shores of present-day Newfoundland and Quebec. His expedition mapped coastlines, encountered Indigenous peoples, and erected a cross claiming the territory. The voyage laid groundwork for later French claims in Canada despite failing to find a route to Asia.

Event Detail Peopling Earth

1534

Exploration 16th Century North America

Jacques Cartier Reaches Prince Edward Island

During the early 16th century, European monarchs sponsored voyages to find new trade routes and territories in the Americas. French explorer Jacques Cartier, commissioned by King Francis I, sailed from Saint-Malo in April 1534 aboard the ships Émérillon and Grande Hermine with orders to seek a northwest passage to Asia. On June 29, 1534, Cartier sighted and landed on what is now Prince Edward Island off the coast of present-day Canada, becoming the first documented European to reach the island. He claimed the territory for France, planted a cross, and noted its fertile lands and Indigenous inhabitants before continuing his expedition along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This landing marked an early step in French efforts to establish a presence...

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1534

Exploration 16th Century North America

Cartier Erects Cross Claiming Gaspé for France

In the spring of 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier sailed from Saint-Malo with two ships and about sixty men under orders from King Francis I to seek a northwest passage to Asia and claim new territories. After weeks of navigating the Gulf of St. Lawrence amid storms, his vessels sought shelter in Gaspé Bay on the eastern coast of what is now Quebec, Canada, where they encountered Iroquois fishers from Stadacona. On July 24, Cartier directed his crew to erect a large wooden cross, roughly thirty feet tall and bearing the arms of France along with the inscription "Vive le Roy de France," on a prominent point overlooking the harbor. The local inhabitants, led by chief Donnacona, reacted with visible...

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1535

Exploration 16th Century Latin America & Caribbean

Francisco Pizarro Founds Lima

After conquering the Inca Empire and capturing Atahualpa in 1532, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro sought a suitable coastal site for his new capital. Scouts identified the Rímac River valley for its access to the Pacific, fresh water, fertile land, and milder climate compared to highland alternatives like Jauja. On January 18, 1535, Pizarro formally established the settlement as Ciudad de los Reyes in honor of Epiphany, on lands previously held by the Ichma polity. The city quickly became the administrative center of the Viceroyalty of Peru, facilitating Spanish control over vast South American territories.

Event Detail Peopling Earth

1541

Exploration 16th Century North America

De Soto Reaches the Mississippi River

In the spring of 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto led an expedition of several hundred men through the southeastern region of what is now the United States in search of gold and a passage to the Pacific. After months of difficult travel marked by conflicts with Indigenous peoples and harsh conditions, the party arrived near present-day Walls, Mississippi. On May 8, de Soto became one of the first Europeans to sight the Mississippi River, then known to the Spanish as the Río de Espíritu Santo. His men constructed flatboats to cross the wide waterway under cover of darkness to evade local Native American forces. The crossing succeeded, allowing the expedition to continue westward, though de Soto would die the...

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1542

Exploration 16th Century North America

Cabrillo Reaches San Diego Bay

Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, sailing under the Spanish flag from Navidad in Mexico, sought the mythical Strait of Anian while charting the Pacific coast. Departing in June 1542 with three ships, his expedition navigated northward along uncharted waters for over three months. On September 28, 1542, Cabrillo's fleet entered what he named San Miguel Bay, now known as San Diego Bay, becoming the first documented Europeans to reach the California coast. He claimed the territory for Spain and noted its excellent harbor qualities before continuing north. The voyage provided the earliest European descriptions of Alta California's coastline and indigenous populations.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1554

Exploration 16th Century Latin America & Caribbean

Jesuit Priests Found São Paulo in Colonial Brazil

In the mid-16th century, Portuguese colonizers and Jesuit missionaries sought to establish permanent settlements in the interior of Brazil to support evangelization and expansion. On January 25, 1554, Jesuit priests Manuel da Nóbrega and José de Anchieta founded a mission village at the site of present-day São Paulo. The settlement was named after Saint Paul, whose feast day coincided with the founding. It served as a base for converting indigenous populations and organizing agricultural production. The location's strategic position on a plateau aided defense and access to resources. Over time, the village grew into a major colonial center.

Event Detail Peopling Earth

1577

Exploration 16th Century Global

Francis Drake Departs Plymouth on Global Voyage

Queen Elizabeth I secretly authorized English seaman Francis Drake to raid Spanish treasure fleets and explore Pacific routes amid Anglo-Spanish rivalries. On December 13, 1577, Drake sailed from Plymouth with five ships and 164 men, including the flagship Pelican (later renamed Golden Hind). After crossing the Atlantic and navigating the Straits of Magellan, storms scattered the fleet; only the Golden Hind reached the Pacific. Drake raided Spanish settlements along South America's west coast, captured a richly laden treasure galleon, and continued north to present-day California, claiming land as Nova Albion for the queen. He then crossed the Pacific, rounded Africa, and returned to Plymouth on September 26, 1580, completing the first English circumnavigation.

Event Detail

1580

Exploration 16th Century Europe

Francis Drake Completes Circumnavigation of the Globe

In the late 16th century, England sought to challenge Spanish dominance in global trade and exploration by authorizing privateering voyages. Francis Drake, an experienced English sea captain, departed Plymouth in December 1577 with a small fleet on a mission that combined raiding Spanish settlements and seeking new trade routes. After navigating the Strait of Magellan, raiding along the Pacific coast of South America, and crossing the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Drake's flagship Golden Hind returned alone to England. On September 26, 1580, Drake sailed into Plymouth Harbor, completing the first English circumnavigation of the Earth in nearly three years at sea. Queen Elizabeth I knighted him aboard the ship the following year, boosting English naval confidence.

Event Detail

1581

Exploration 16th Century Europe

Francis Drake Knighted After Circumnavigation

In the late 16th century, England sought to challenge Spanish dominance on the seas through privateering expeditions. Francis Drake, a skilled navigator and privateer, had completed a daring three-year voyage around the world aboard the Golden Hind, raiding Spanish settlements and returning with immense treasure. On April 4, 1581, Queen Elizabeth I boarded the ship at Deptford and personally knighted Drake, signaling royal approval of his exploits despite their provocative nature toward Spain. The ceremony elevated Drake to national hero status and encouraged further English maritime ventures. This act cemented England's emerging naval power and inspired subsequent explorers.

Event Detail

1583

Exploration 16th Century North America

Humphrey Gilbert Claims Newfoundland for England

During the Elizabethan era, England pursued overseas expansion to rival Spanish and Portuguese colonial efforts and secure new resources and trade routes. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, an experienced soldier and adventurer with ties to the court, organized an expedition with royal backing. His fleet of five ships sailed from Plymouth in June 1583 and reached St. John's harbor after navigating challenges from weather and rival fishing fleets. On August 5, Gilbert formally took possession of Newfoundland and surrounding lands for Queen Elizabeth I, planting a cross and reading a proclamation that asserted English sovereignty over the territory extending 200 leagues north and south. This marked the first English claim in North America, though no permanent settlement was established at the time.

Event Detail

1590

Exploration 16th Century North America

Roanoke Colony Found Abandoned by Governor

England's first attempt at a permanent colony in North America began in 1587 when over 100 settlers, including women and children, arrived on Roanoke Island under Governor John White. White returned to England for supplies but was delayed by the Spanish Armada and other conflicts. On August 18, 1590, White finally reached the island with relief ships. He found the settlement deserted, with no signs of struggle or violence. The only clues were the word 'CROATOAN' carved on a palisade post and 'CRO' on a tree, suggesting possible relocation to Croatoan Island. No definitive trace of the colonists was ever found despite later searches.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1606

Exploration 17th Century North America

Virginia Company Ships Depart for Jamestown

In the early seventeenth century, England sought to establish a foothold in North America amid competition with Spain and other European powers for resources and trade routes. King James I granted a charter to the Virginia Company of London, a joint-stock enterprise funded by investors hoping for profits from gold, trade, and land. On December 20, 1606, three ships—the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery—departed from Blackwall, London, carrying approximately 105 colonists and crew under Captain Christopher Newport. The expedition faced storms, internal disputes including a near-mutiny involving John Smith, and the long transatlantic voyage before sighting land in late April 1607. The settlers eventually selected a site on the James River, founding Jamestown in May 1607 as the first permanent...

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1607

Exploration 17th Century North America

English Colonists Establish Jamestown Settlement

England's efforts to establish a foothold in the New World followed failed attempts like Roanoke and aimed to secure resources, trade routes, and territory amid competition with Spain and France. The Virginia Company dispatched three ships carrying about 100 men and boys, who endured a difficult Atlantic crossing. On May 14, 1607, the settlers landed on the banks of the James River in Virginia and began constructing James Fort, marking the first permanent English settlement in North America. Initial challenges included disease, food shortages, and conflicts with local Powhatan peoples, yet the colony persisted through resupply and leadership changes. This foothold laid groundwork for further English expansion along the Atlantic coast.

Event Detail Peopling Earth

1608

Exploration 17th Century North America

Champlain Establishes Québec City

European exploration of North America in the early seventeenth century focused on fur trade routes and permanent outposts along the St. Lawrence River. French navigator and cartographer Samuel de Champlain, already experienced from prior voyages, led a small expedition of about 28 men after receiving support from French investors. Arriving at the site known to Indigenous peoples as Kebec, meaning 'where the river narrows,' Champlain selected a defensible location on July 3, 1608, and oversaw construction of a fortified habitation with dwellings, a storehouse, and defensive features. The settlement survived its first harsh winter despite scurvy and other hardships that claimed many lives. This marked the beginning of sustained French colonial presence in Canada.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1608

Exploration 17th Century North America

John Smith Elected President of Jamestown Council

The Jamestown colony, established in 1607 as England's first permanent settlement in North America, faced severe hardships including disease, starvation, and tense relations with local Powhatan peoples. Captain John Smith, an experienced adventurer who had previously been captured and released by Native Americans, had already demonstrated strong leadership and organizational skills within the colony. On September 10, 1608, the governing council elected him as its president, giving him authority over the struggling outpost. Smith immediately enforced strict discipline, required all colonists to work, strengthened fortifications, and expanded trade networks with Indigenous groups to secure food supplies. His pragmatic policies helped stabilize the settlement during a critical period before his departure in 1609.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1609

Exploration 17th Century North America

Henry Hudson Discovers Delaware Bay

In the summer of 1609, English explorer Henry Hudson sailed aboard the Dutch East India Company ship Halve Maen in search of a northwest passage to Asia. After exploring the North American coast, Hudson entered an estuary on August 28 that he named the South Bay, later known as Delaware Bay. He noted the shallow waters and sandbars but reported the surrounding lands as promising for future settlement. Hudson did not go ashore but claimed the area for the Dutch, contributing to their later colonial interests in the region known as New Netherland. This voyage formed part of broader European efforts to map and claim territories in the New World during the Age of Exploration.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1609

Exploration 17th Century North America

Henry Hudson Begins Exploration of Hudson River

Seeking a northwest passage to Asia on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, English explorer Henry Hudson sailed the ship Halve Maen across the Atlantic. After reaching the North American coast and entering what is now New York Harbor in early September, Hudson turned his attention northward. On September 12, he began ascending the river that would later bear his name, navigating past Manhattan and into the interior. Over the following days, the crew traded with Lenape peoples, charted the waterway up toward present-day Albany, and gathered observations on the land and its inhabitants. The voyage established European awareness of the region's potential for trade and settlement, laying groundwork for Dutch claims in New Netherland.

Event Detail America 250 Atlas

1620

Exploration 17th Century Europe

Pilgrims Depart England Aboard the Mayflower

Religious dissenters known as Separatists, seeking freedom from the Church of England, had first fled to the Netherlands before deciding to establish a colony in the New World under a patent from the Virginia Company. Joined by other English passengers, they boarded the Mayflower in Plymouth, England, after delays caused by a leaking companion ship. The vessel finally set sail on September 6, 1620, carrying 102 passengers and a crew of roughly 30 on a 106-foot ship bound for Virginia. Storms battered the ship during the two-month crossing, testing the resolve of the travelers who endured cramped conditions and the death of one passenger. Their arrival off Cape Cod in November led to the founding of Plymouth Colony, one of...

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