A Year In History: 1498

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This Year in History:

1498

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

May 20

Vasco da Gama reaches India

Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama becomes the first European to reach India via the Atlantic Ocean when he arrives at Calicut on the Malabar Coast. Da Gama sailed from Lisbon,…

Exploration

August 1

Columbus first sets eyes on South America, thinks it’s an island

Explorer Christopher Columbus sights the coast of present‑day Venezuela. Thinking it an island, he christened it Isla Santa and claimed it for Spain. His men go ashore at what is…

Exploration

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Vasco da Gama reaches India

Columbus first sets eyes on South America, thinks it’s an island

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