May 20

Events - Other

1497day.year

John Cabot sets sail from Bristol, England, on his ship Matthew looking for a route to the west (other documents give a May 2 date).

Explorer John Cabot departs Bristol aboard the Matthew, embarking on a westward quest for Asia.
In 1497, John Cabot sailed from Bristol under the patronage of King Henry VII with a small crew aboard the Matthew. His mission was to find a direct sea route to Asia by heading west across the Atlantic. Cabot’s voyage led to the first known European landfall on the North American mainland since the Norse expeditions. Though the exact landing site remains debated, his journey opened the door to later English exploration and colonization. Cabot’s expedition laid the groundwork for England’s future claims in the New World.
1497 John Cabot Bristol Matthew May 2
1498day.year

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama discovers the sea route to India when he arrives at Kozhikode (previously known as Calicut), India.

Vasco da Gama reaches Kozhikode, India, confirming the sea route from Europe around Africa.
On May 20, 1498, Vasco da Gama arrived at the port of Kozhikode on India’s Malabar Coast, completing the first sea voyage from Europe to India. This achievement confirmed the maritime route around the Cape of Good Hope pioneered a year earlier. Da Gama’s expedition established direct trade links for spices, textiles, and other valuable commodities. The voyage marked a milestone in the Age of Discovery and shifted global economic power toward seafaring nations. It also heralded the beginning of Portuguese colonial and commercial expansion in Asia.
1498 Vasco da Gama discovers the sea route to India Kozhikode