01/01/1502 Pedro Álvares Cabral discovers Rio de Janeiro
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History of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A Portuguese expedition under explorer Gaspar de Lemos, captain of a ship in Pedro Álvares Cabral's fleet, first encountered Guanabara Bay on 1 January 1502. Back then, the region of Rio was inhabited by the Tupi, Puri, Botocudo, and Maxakalí peoples.