Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who was one of the first people during the European Age of Discovery to command a ship to India and back. This achievement helped Portugal's success as an early colonising power and placed it in a position where Portugal could interact with Indian Ocean trade.

Born between the years of 1460-1469, Vasco do Gama was born in the southwest coast of Portugal with his father, Estêvão da Gama who was a knight in the household of the Duke of Viseu, Dom Fernando. When he was old enough, he made his first voyage on July 8, 1497.