European Explorers
Christopher Columbus, Vasco de Gama, Magellan
Christopher Columbus
Vasco de Gama
Vasco de Gama was a very well know Potugese explorer. His expedition set sail from Lisbon on July 8, 1497. Vasco de Gama sailed more than 6000 miles. His expedition began with 170 men and ended with only 55 men. De Gama was the commander of the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India.
Magellan
Magellan's expedition of 1519–1522 became the first expedition to sail from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific Ocean (then named "peaceful sea" by Magellan; the passage being made via the Strait of Magellan), and the first to cross the Pacific. His expedition completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth. Magellan did not complete the entire voyage, as he was killed during the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines. It is because of Magellan that the International Date Line was established, as through his journey it was discovered that somehow a whole day had been lost.