On this Day in Chinese History; 11 July

This day, 11 July, in 1405, Zheng He set sail from Nanjing on the first of seven voyages that would go as far as Africa. These southwestward voyages raised the international reputation of the Ming Dynasty, broadened the horizons of the Chinese people, developed navigation technology, opened up the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, and made great contributions to international trade.