The island was discovered on May 21, 1502, which, in the Eastern church, is the feast day of St. Hele.... island helena

The existence of the island was known only to the Portuguese until 1588, when the English navigator Captain visited St. The island soon became a port of call for ships en route between Europe and the East Indies. Helena about 164551, but in 1659 the English took possession of the island. Helena made it attractive to the powers of Europe as a place of exile for , and he was confined at Longwood on the island from October 1815 until his death in May 1821. island helena