October 28

Events - Other

1492day.year

Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba on his first voyage to the New World, surmising that it is Japan.

Christopher Columbus lands on Cuba during his first voyage in 1492, mistaking it for Japan.
On October 28, 1492, Christopher Columbus reached the shores of Cuba, believing he had found the Japanese islands. His arrival marked one of the earliest European contacts with the Caribbean region. Columbus's misidentification highlighted the limits of medieval geography and seafaring knowledge. His encounter with indigenous Taíno communities initiated profound cultural exchanges and conflicts. This historic landing ushered in the Age of Exploration and reshaped global history.
1492 Christopher Columbus Cuba first voyage to the New World
1520day.year

Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Pacific Ocean.

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan navigates through the Strait of Magellan and becomes the first European to enter the Pacific Ocean, opening a new era of global exploration.
On October 28, 1520, Ferdinand Magellan and his fleet emerged from the Atlantic through the treacherous passage that now bears his name and entered what he called the 'Pacific Ocean'. This achievement marked the first recorded European crossing from the Atlantic into the Pacific, confirming new maritime routes to Asia. Magellan's crew endured extreme weather, unpredictable currents, and challenging terrain throughout the journey. The successful navigation of this route reshaped European maps and expanded horizons for global trade. Although Magellan would not complete the voyage himself, this milestone paved the way for the first circumnavigation of the world and forever changed seafaring history.
1520 Ferdinand Magellan