John Cabot was an Italian navigator and explorer who is credited with discovering North America in 1497 while sailing under a British flag. He was born around 1450 in Venice, Italy and led an expedition funded by English merchants seeking an alternative route to Asia. Cabot landed on and explored Newfoundland with a crew of 18 men aboard the ship the Matthew. Upon returning to England, he was granted a lifetime pension by the British government. However, little is known about Cabot's voyages as few records were kept.