dec 24, 1449 - John Cabot

Description:

(1450?-1499)
John Cabot, born in Genoa, Italy became a skilled navigator in his late 20s, later moving to England, he won support for finding a direct route to Asian markets. In 1496 Henry VII had given authorization. After a failed first attempted, himself and a crew of 18 others had sailed to the North American coastline and becoming the first European to set foot on North American soil since the Vikings. The next year he set out on another voyage with 5 ships and 200 men, however, it is believed he never reached the North American coast again and was lost at sea.