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English explorer Martin Frobisher sights Baffin Island

Sir Martin Frobisher (1535/1539 – 22 November 1594) was an English sea captain and privateer who made three voyages to the New World looking for the North-west Passage.

Sir Martin Frobisher (1535/1539 – 22 November 1594) was an English sea captain and privateer who made three voyages to the New World looking for the North-west Passage. He probably sighted Resolution Island near Labrador in eastern Canada, before entering Frobisher Bay and landing on present-day Baffin Island.

On his second voyage, Frobisher found what he thought was gold ore and carried 200 short tons (180 t) of it home on three ships, where initial assaying determined it to be worth a profit of £5.20 per ton (equivalent to £1,900 per ton in 2023). Encouraged, Frobisher returned to Canada with an even larger fleet and dug several mines around Frobisher Bay.

Historical Significance

Sir Martin Frobisher (1535/1539 – 22 November 1594) was an English sea captain and privateer who made three voyages to the New World looking for the North-west Passage.

Events Before

  1. Francis Drake sets sail from England on an epic three-year circumnavigation of the world aboard the "Pelican," later ren

    Francis Drake sets sail from England on an epic three-year circumnavigation of the world aboard the "Pelican," later renamed the "Golden Hind"

  2. King Henri de Bourbon of Navarra becomes leader of the Huguenots

    King Henri de Bourbon of Navarra becomes leader of the Huguenots

  3. Spanish land guardian Don Juan of Habsburg signs the "Eternal Edict"

    Spanish land guardian Don Juan of Habsburg signs the "Eternal Edict"

  4. Spanish army and German mercenaries conquer Namur

    Spanish army and German mercenaries conquer Namur

  5. Peace of Bergerac: Political rights for Huguenots

    Peace of Bergerac: Political rights for Huguenots

Events After

  1. English navigator Francis Drake lands on the coast of California at what becomes known as Drakes Bay, for ship repairs;

    English navigator Francis Drake lands on the coast of California at what becomes known as Drakes Bay, for ship repairs; claims area on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, and names it "Nova Albion" [1] [2]

  2. Northern Hasburg Netherlands counties of Artois and Hainault and city Dowaai sign pro-Spanish and pro-Roman Catholic Uni

    Northern Hasburg Netherlands counties of Artois and Hainault and city Dowaai sign pro-Spanish and pro-Roman Catholic Union of Arras (Unie van Atrecht)

  3. Union of Utrecht signed by Northern Habsburg counties of Holland and Zeeland, and provinces of Utrecht and Groningen, ma

    Union of Utrecht signed by Northern Habsburg counties of Holland and Zeeland, and provinces of Utrecht and Groningen, marking the beginning of protestant Dutch Republic

  4. Betuwe joins the Union of Utrecht

    Betuwe joins the Union of Utrecht

  5. Veluwe joins the Union of Utrecht

    The Union of Utrecht (Dutch: Unie van Utrecht) was an alliance based on an agreement concluded on 23 January 1579 between a number of Dutch provinces and cities, to reach a joint commitment against...

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The Geuzen set fire to the city of Woudrichem

Woudrichem is a city and former municipality in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands.

Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours

Henry IV (French: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (le Bon Roi Henri) or Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from...

Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.

Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 2, 1578?
Sir Martin Frobisher (1535/1539 – 22 November 1594) was an English sea captain and privateer who made three voyages to the New World looking for the North-west Passage. He probably sighted Resolution Island near Labrador in eastern Canada, before entering Frobisher Bay and landing on present-day Baffin Island. On his second voyage, Frobisher found what he thought was gold ore and carried 200 short tons (180 t) of it home on three ships, where initial assaying determined it to be worth a profit of £5.20 per ton (equivalent to £1,900 per ton in 2023).
Why is English explorer Martin Frobisher sights Baffin Island significant?
Sir Martin Frobisher (1535/1539 – 22 November 1594) was an English sea captain and privateer who made three voyages to the New World looking for the North-west Passage.

Explore More

July 2 in HistoryYear 1578