Age of Exploration (15th-16th Centuries)

Christopher Columbus

Oct 12, 1492

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With the support from the King and Queen of Spain and command of three ships: the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria, Columbus took voyage to the New World on August 3rd1492. On October 12th1492 Columbus landed on a small island in the present-day Bahamas,

Amerigo Vespucci

May 14, 1501

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Set sail under Portuguese officers and later taking command, Vespucci started along the coast of South America and discovered present-day Rio de Janeiro and Rio de la Plata. Vespucci believed he had discovered a new continent and called it the New World, also America was named after him.
A video about Vespuccis life can be found here.

Juan Ponce De Leon

Jan 1, 1513

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While leading a European expedition in search of the Fountain of Youth, De Leon instead discovered what would become the Southeastern coast of the United States. De Leon gave Florida its name and became the first governor of Puerto Rico.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Oct 24, 1513

Balboa was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who was the first European to see the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean (in 1513), crossing the Isthmus of Panama. He was also the first European to see the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean.
Find out more about Balboa here.

Ferdinand Magellan

Sep 1, 1519

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Ferdinand Magellan sailed with five ships: Trinidad, the Santiago, the Victoria, the Concepcion, and the San Antonio to find another route to Eastern Asia. Magellan found the passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and called it the All Saints' Channel, which is called the Straits of Magellan today.

Jacques Cartier

Apr 20, 1534

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Took three expeditions to the Americas between 1534 and 1541. Credited with claiming the lands that would eventually belong to France and be called Canada. Explored the St. Lawrence River.

Hernando de Soto

May 30, 1539

Click here for more information. He arrived on the west coast of Florida with 10 ships carrying over 600 soldiers, priests, and explorers. They spent four years exploring and searching for gold and silver. He was the first European to explore Florida and southeastern US.

Sir Francis Drake

Oct 23, 1563

Led the second expedition to sail around the world in a voyage lasting from 1577 to 1580. See his amazing journey here.
In North America during his round the world trip, he claimed the land he called "Nova Albion" for the Queen, which was believed to be modern day California.
Learn more about 'The Dragon' here.

Henry Hudson

Sep 3, 1609

Click here to see what Henry Hudson saw in 1609.He discovered the location of where present day New York City sits. He was an English explorer and navigator who explored parts of the Arctic Ocean and northeastern North America. The Hudson River, Hudson Strait, and Hudson Bay were all named for him.
A video on the man him-self

Robert de La Salle

Apr 9, 1682

Click here for more information. He set sail down the Mississippi River. He was the first European to travel the length of the Mississippi River. His mission was to explore and establish fur-trade routes along the river.