The New Student's Reference Work/John II

John II, João the Perfect, king of Portugal, was born at Lisbon in 1455.  At 26 he succeeded his father, Alphonso V, and was crowned on Aug. 29, 1481.  His reign is historically important, because of the voyages of discovery sent out by him under Diaz, who discovered the Cape of Good Hope, and Da Gama, who visited India.  Other navigators explored the African coasts. He died in 1495.