The Day Europe Found a Sea Road to India
On May 20, 1498, Vasco da Gama's ships anchored off Calicut, India — completing the first sea voyage from Europe to Asia and changing world trade forever.
Tagged: portugal
The Day Lisbon Fell: The 1755 Earthquake That Shook the World
On November 1, 1755, a massive earthquake, tsunami, and fire destroyed Lisbon, killing tens of thousands and shaking Europe's faith in a rational world.
The Morning Portugal Took Its Crown Back
On December 1, 1640, the Forty Conspirators stormed Lisbon's royal palace and acclaimed the Duke of Braganza as King John IV, ending sixty years of Spanish rule.
The Morning Magellan Never Came Home
On April 27, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan was killed on the Philippine island of Mactan, ending his quest to sail around the world.
The Song That Toppled a Dictatorship
On April 25, 1974, two coded songs on Portuguese radio launched the Carnation Revolution, ending nearly 50 years of dictatorship in under a day.