Tasman Discovers Van Diemen's Land

Date: November 24, 1642 • Location: Cressy, Australia

Abel Tasman becomes the first European to discover the island Van Diemen's Land (later renamed Tasmania).

Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer and explorer, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). He was the first European to reach New Zealand, which he named Staten Landt. He also discovered and was the eponym of Tasmania.