Introducing the V ictorious P opular C aptains

Introducing theIntroducing the

VVictoriousictorious PPopularopular CCaptainsaptains

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EricEricthe the RedRed

(Dad)(Dad)

Eric was born in Norway. He Eric was born in Norway. He was born Eric Thorvaldson, was born Eric Thorvaldson, but was called Eric the Red but was called Eric the Red

because of his red hair. because of his red hair.

When Eric was approximately When Eric was approximately 10 years old, he moved with 10 years old, he moved with

his father Iceland.his father Iceland.

He killed two men and was He killed two men and was sent away from Iceland for sent away from Iceland for

three years. During this time, three years. During this time, Eric explored the waters west Eric explored the waters west

of Iceland.of Iceland.

Eric reached Greenland. He Eric reached Greenland. He spent 3 years there, then spent 3 years there, then returned to Iceland. Eric returned to Iceland. Eric

named the new land named the new land Greenland to get people to Greenland to get people to

move there.move there.

Eric sailed for Greenland with Eric sailed for Greenland with 25 ships of colonists, but only 25 ships of colonists, but only 14 finished the voyage. About 14 finished the voyage. About

450 people formed two 450 people formed two settlements/towns.settlements/towns.

Eric planned to search for Eric planned to search for more land west of Greenland. more land west of Greenland. However he refused to make However he refused to make the journey after falling from the journey after falling from his horse on the way to his his horse on the way to his

ship. He feared that is was a ship. He feared that is was a sign of bad luck.sign of bad luck.

LeifLeifthe the

LuckyLuckyLeif EricsonLeif Ericson

Leif Ericson, or Leif the Leif Ericson, or Leif the Lucky, was thoughtful Lucky, was thoughtful and kind and highly and kind and highly

respected.respected.

He earned his He earned his nickname after saving nickname after saving

fifteen shipwrecked fifteen shipwrecked men.men.

He made voyages and He made voyages and traded from Greenland traded from Greenland

to Scotland and to Scotland and Norway.Norway.

These voyages were These voyages were amazing acts/feats amazing acts/feats

since he sailed 1,800 since he sailed 1,800 miles on a straight miles on a straight latitude without any latitude without any

sight of land.sight of land.

Later, Leif discovered Later, Leif discovered Newfoundland, which Newfoundland, which

he called Vinland.he called Vinland.

Newfoundland had Newfoundland had good resources, such good resources, such as trees for ships and as trees for ships and

houses, rivers with houses, rivers with salmon, and grassy salmon, and grassy

meadows for animals. meadows for animals.

MarcoMarcoPPoloolo

Marco Polo was an Marco Polo was an Italian voyager. He was Italian voyager. He was

one of the first one of the first Europeans to travel Europeans to travel

across Asia through the across Asia through the Orient.Orient.

Polo sailed from Italy in Polo sailed from Italy in the Mediterranean Sea the Mediterranean Sea

to the Middle East. to the Middle East. Then he went over land Then he went over land through Iran to China.through Iran to China.

Then he sailed from Then he sailed from China to Vietnam, China to Vietnam,

Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, and India.and India.

Marco Polo wrote a book telling Marco Polo wrote a book telling about his journeys and what he about his journeys and what he found, such as porcelain, coal, found, such as porcelain, coal,

gunpowder, printing, paper gunpowder, printing, paper money, and silk.money, and silk.

Christopher Christopher CColumbusolumbus

Christopher Christopher Columbus was an Columbus was an

Italian explorer who Italian explorer who sailed the Atlantic sailed the Atlantic

Ocean hoping to find Ocean hoping to find a route to India.a route to India.

Columbus sailed for Spain on Columbus sailed for Spain on 3 ships with 90 crew 3 ships with 90 crew

members. They found the members. They found the Caribbean islands of America. Caribbean islands of America. Columbus thought they had Columbus thought they had

made it to the Indies and made it to the Indies and called the people Indians.called the people Indians.

These are theThese are the

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