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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus
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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, -
May 14, 1501
Amerigo Vespucci
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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. -
Jan 1, 1513
Juan Ponce De Leon
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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. -
Oct 24, 1513
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
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. -
Sep 1, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan
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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. -
Apr 20, 1534
Jacques Cartier
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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. -
May 30, 1539
Hernando de Soto
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. -
Oct 23, 1563
Sir Francis Drake
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
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
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.
