Marco Polo was a boy who lived in Venice, Italy, more than 700 years ago. As a teenager, he traveled to China and came back 24 years later. He wrote a book about Asia that inspired Christopher Columbus- 200 years later. He got the favor of Kublai Khan, the Chinese ruler at that time- and was sent to spy for him! He didn't spend as much time in school as we do. Instead, his relatives taught him everything he needed to know to become a merchant. He was a famous explorer who went with his dad and uncle to trade in Asia. They went to trade trade salt, and they came back with riches in their clothes, which they had sewn {the clothes} to keep the jewels in them.
1254- Marco Polo is born in Venice, Italy
1260- Kublai Khan becomes ruler of the Mongol Empire
1271- Marco, his father, and his Uncle leave Venice heading for China
1275- Marco meets Kublai Khan at his summer palace
1291- Kublai sends Marco, his father, and his Uncle to escort a princess to Persia (present day Iran)
1294- Kublai Khan dies on February 18
1295- The Polo’s arrive back home in Venice
1298- Marco is captured in a sea battle and imprisoned; Rustichello helps him write his book
1299- Marco is released from prison
1300- Marco's father dies and Marco gets married
1324- Marco dies in Venice at age 69 on January 8
1477- About 150 years after Marco dies, copies of his book are printed on Johannes Gutenberg's new printing press
