When did John Cabot explore the New World? This question has intrigued historians and scholars for centuries. John Cabot, an Italian explorer, is credited with discovering North America in 1497, marking a significant milestone in the Age of Discovery. His journey, which began with a quest for a western route to Asia, inadvertently led to the European discovery of the Americas.
John Cabot was born in Genoa, Italy, around 1450. He was the son of a Venetian navigator named Guilo Caboto. From a young age, John was exposed to the sea and the world of navigation. His father, an experienced mariner, taught him the trade and introduced him to the art of cartography. It was this early exposure to the sea that laid the foundation for John Cabot’s later explorations.
In the early 1490s, Cabot, along with his son Sebastian, set sail from Bristol, England, in search of a western route to Asia. The Crown of Portugal had forbidden English ships from navigating the Atlantic Ocean in search of new lands, so the Cabots sought the support of King Henry VII of England. With a royal patent in hand, they embarked on their historic journey.
On June 24, 1497, the Cabots set sail with a crew of about 18 men aboard the Matthew, a small, 50-ton ship. They had no idea what they would find, but their voyage was a turning point in history. After a grueling 38-day journey, they sighted land on June 24, 1497. The Cabots believed they had reached Asia, so they named the newfound land “New Found Land,” which later became Newfoundland.
Although the Cabots did not establish a permanent settlement, their discovery sparked a wave of interest in the New World. Other explorers soon followed, leading to the European colonization of the Americas. John Cabot’s voyage also paved the way for the establishment of the British Empire in North America.
In conclusion, John Cabot explored the New World in 1497, a discovery that would have a profound impact on the course of history. His journey, though initially aimed at finding a new route to Asia, inadvertently led to the European discovery of North America. Today, we remember John Cabot as a key figure in the Age of Discovery and the European exploration of the New World.
