October 12, 1492★★★★★
Columbus reaches the Americas
Christopher Columbus's Spanish-sponsored expedition makes landfall on an island in the Bahamas.
Exploration· Bahamas, Spain
Timeline
5 events15th century
- June 7, 1494★★★★★
Treaty of Tordesillas
Spain and Portugal agree to divide newly found lands outside Europe along a meridian in the Atlantic.
TreatyExploration· Spain, Portugal
16th century
- April 1519★★★★★
Hernán Cortés lands in Mexico
Spanish conquistadors under Hernán Cortés land on Mexico's Gulf Coast and found Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, beginning the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
WarExploration· Mexico, Spain - 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