Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

What happened

In 1488 the Portuguese captain Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, later named the Cape of Good Hope. His voyage proved that a sea trading route from Europe to the riches of Asia was possible.

Why it matters

Dias opened the door to the Indian Ocean, making the long-sought sea route to Asia suddenly within reach.

Sources

• The Mariners' Museum — Ages of Exploration. Bartolomeu Dias · Reputable source