1855day.year
David Livingstone becomes the first European to see the Victoria Falls in what is now Zambia-Zimbabwe.
In 1855, explorer David Livingstone became the first European to witness the majestic Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.
Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone led an expedition across southern Africa in search of the Nile's sources. On November 16, 1855, while traversing what is today the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, he stumbled upon an immense waterfall he named Victoria Falls in honor of Queen Victoria. The indigenous Lozi people called it Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke That Thunders, referring to the towering spray and deafening roar. Livingstone's detailed accounts and sketches captivated the European imagination, spurring further exploration. Victoria Falls soon gained fame for its vast width and dramatic 100-meter plunge. The discovery also influenced colonial mapping and eventual geopolitical claims in the region. Today, it remains one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1855
David Livingstone
Victoria Falls
Zambia
Zimbabwe