World History Timeline

Related events

1511★★★★★

Portuguese capture of Malacca

Afonso de Albuquerque captures Malacca, ending the Malacca Sultanate and beginning European colonial presence in Southeast Asia.

WarPolitics· Malaysia, Portugal
c. 15th century – c. 1860s★★★★★

The transatlantic slave trade

From the 16th to the 19th century, an estimated 12.5 million enslaved Africans were shipped across the Atlantic to the Americas, with profound consequences for both continents.

Economy· Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Angola, Brazil, United States, Portugal, United Kingdom
April 22, 1500★★★★★

Cabral reaches Brazil

A Portuguese fleet under Pedro Álvares Cabral reaches the coast of Brazil, beginning Portugal's claim to and colonization of the land.

Exploration· Brazil, Portugal
April 27, 1521★★★★★

Battle of Mactan

Warriors led by the chieftain Lapulapu defeat Ferdinand Magellan's men on Mactan island; Magellan is killed.

WarExplorationDeath· Philippines, Spain, Portugal
September 6, 1522★★★★★

First circumnavigation completed

The ship Victoria under Juan Sebastián Elcano returns to Spain, completing the circumnavigation begun by Magellan.

Exploration· Spain, Portugal
July 8, 1497 – May 20, 1498★★★★★

Vasco da Gama sails from Europe to India

Vasco da Gama's fleet left Lisbon, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, sailed up the East African coast and reached Calicut, opening a direct sea route between Europe and Asia.

ExplorationEconomy· Portugal, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, India