At approximately 8:50 p.m. on 10 February 2008, a fire broke out and severely damaged the wooden structure at the top of the Sungnyemun gate. The fire roared out of control again after midnight and finally destroyed the structure, despite the efforts of more than 360 firefighters. Many witnesses reported Continue Reading
After the death of King Manuel I in late 1521, his son and successor, King John III of Portugal set about reviewing the Portuguese government overseas. Vasco da Gama re-emerged from his political wilderness as an important adviser to the new king’s appointments and strategy. Seeing the new Spanish threat Continue Reading
On 16 March 1521, Magellan sighted the islands of Philippines becoming the first European to reach the archipelago. Magellan landed on the island of Homonhon and befriended the chieftains of Limasawa. They then introduced Magellan to Rajah Humabon, the Rajah of Cebu, who was promptly baptized into Catholicism along with Continue Reading
