TIME TALKS

Vasco da Gama (c. 1460-1524) was a great Portuguese navigator and a leading figure of the Age of Discovery.In 1497, under the command of King Manuel I, he set sail from Lisbon and successfully reached Calicut (modern-day Kozhikode) in India by rounding the Cape of Good Hope.He was the first European to open a sea route from Europe to India, paving the way for Portuguese dominance in Asian trade.Da Gama made several voyages to India, and in 1524, he was appointed Viceroy of Portuguese India.However, he died later that year while still in India.His journeys went beyond geographical discovery―they reshaped global trade, culture, and politics.

Socrates (c. 469-399 BCE) was a philosopher of ancient Athens, often regarded as the father of Western philosophy.Although he left no writings of his own, his ideas are known through the works of his students, especially Plato.Socrates emphasized dialogue (the Socratic method) as a means of pursuing truth, asking probing questions to help others recognize their own ignorance and awaken a desire for wisdom.

Known as a mathematician, Pythagoras was also a philosopher and spiritual leader who saw divine meaning in numbers. Declaring that "all is number," he left a profound legacy that shaped the course of Western thought. This story traces the mysterious and contemplative journey of his remarkable life.

William Shakespeare, the playwright who shaped the course of literary history, rose from the quiet town of Stratford to the bustling stages of London.Creating timeless works like Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet, he left a legacy that endures to this day.This story explores the mysteries of his life and the origins of his genius.

Amid the turmoil of the Hundred Years' War, a young girl rose, guided by the voice of God—Joan of Arc.Though born a humble peasant, she led the French army to victory and etched her name into history.This story traces the miraculous and tragic journey of a heroine who lived by her unwavering faith.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was a leading artist of the Italian Renaissance, excelling in sculpture, painting, and architecture. His most famous sculptures include the David and Pieta, masterpieces known for their intricate details and powerful realism.As a painter, he created the breathtaking frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, including The Creation of Adam, and later painted The Last Judgment on its altar wall, both of which had a profound impact on Western art.

Isaac Newton was an English physicist, mathematician, and astronomer who profoundly influenced science.He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he developed early ideas on calculus, motion, and optics. During the Great Plague of 1665-1666, he returned home and made some of his greatest discoveries, including the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Wolfgang Mozart was a genius musician who showed remarkable talent from childhood.He composed many masterpieces in Vienn...

Florence Nightingale was a British nurse and social reformer, known as the founder of modern nursing. Her dedication earned her the title "The Lady with the Lamp."

Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut, engineer, and naval aviator best known as the first person to walk on the Moon. Born in Ohio, he developed a passion for aviation early and became a Navy pilot, serving in the Korean War. Later, as a test pilot, he flew high-speed experimental aircraft before joining NASA in 1962.

Thomas Edison, known as the "Wizard of Menlo Park," revolutionized modern life with over 1,000 patents, including the practical electric light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera. He also pioneered the electric power distribution system, shaping the foundation of today's technological and industrial advancements.

The last pharaoh of ancient Egypt and one of the three most beautiful women in the world, she had a huge impact on Egyptian history.Cleopatra is known for her romances with Caesar and Antonius, but she is also remembered as a queen who fought bravely for Egypt and used her wisdom to achieve her goals.