Today in history: Vasco da Gama left Portugal to find a sea route to India on 8th July 1947

On 8th July 1947, Vasco da Gama left Portugal to find a sea route to India. He had four ships and 170 men to assist him in the expedition. The ships were named the San Gabriel, the Sao Rafael, and the Berrio. There was a monsoon wind, they reached India in less than one month. Vasco da Gama reached India (Calicut) on May 20th, 1498. His voyage opened the first all-water trade route between Europe and Asia. On the return voyage, half of Vasco da Gama’s crew died from scurvy. Vasco da Gama's first voyage to India is considered to be the beginning of global multiculturalism. Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, a coastal town in Portugal and he died in 1524, in Kochi, India.