When did John Cabot start his journey? This question is often asked in the context of the discovery of the New World. John Cabot, an Italian explorer, embarked on his historic voyage in 1497. His journey marked a significant milestone in the exploration and colonization of the Americas.
John Cabot was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1450. He was the son of Giovanni Caboto, a wool weaver, and Matteo Caboto, a mariner. John, inspired by his father’s trade and his own desire for adventure, became a mariner himself. In the late 15th century, he and his family moved to England, where he was knighted by King Henry VII.
The motivation behind John Cabot’s journey was to find a new route to Asia, which would bypass the Ottoman Empire and the spice trade controlled by the Venetians and the Ottomans. The English government, eager to find a profitable sea route to the Far East, sponsored Cabot’s expedition. His goal was to discover a new route to Asia, but instead, he landed in North America, which was later named Newfoundland.
John Cabot’s journey began on May 24, 1497. He set sail from Bristol, England, with a crew of about 16 men and two ships, the Matthew and the Eleanor. After a long and treacherous voyage, Cabot and his crew reached the coast of North America on June 24, 1497. They landed in what is now Canada, near what is now known as Newfoundland. Cabot claimed the land for England, naming it “Newfoundland” in the process.
The discovery of Newfoundland was a significant event for the English, as it was the first English settlement in North America. However, Cabot’s voyage did not result in immediate colonization, as the crew was eager to return to England to claim their share of the royal bounty. Despite this, Cabot’s journey laid the groundwork for future English exploration and colonization in the New World.
John Cabot’s journey in 1497 was a critical moment in history, as it marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas. The question of when John Cabot started his journey is not only about the date but also about the legacy of his discovery and the impact it had on the world.
