-
983
Erik the Red
He was a vicious explorer who discovered
Greenland. -
1000
Leif Eriksson
Founder of North America (Vinland)
Conquered Vinland
Traveled to Helluland
Discovered Vinland centuries ahead of Columbus
wife was named Thorgunna -
1271
Marco Polo
wrote The Travels of Marco Polo; thrown in jail after a fight; told his tales to fellow prisoner whom then wrote "The Tales of Marco Polo" -
1492
Christopher Columbus
explored to find a new trade route directly to Asia by sailing west -
1497
John Cabot
found Newfoundland;
how/when he died is unknown -
1513
Juan Ponce de Leon
looked for fountain of youth
people think he sailed with Columbus -
1513
Vasco de Balboa
landed in Panama (central America),fought through 50 miles of jungle to see "new" sea (Pacific Ocean);
DaVilla was threatened by Balboa, thus Balboa was accused of and executed for treason;
left Spain due to debt -
1519
Ferdinand Magellan
made it to the Spice Islands
first to circumnavigate the globe -
1519
Hernando Cortes
renamed Tenochtitlan to Mexico City -
1532
Francisco Pizarro
defeated/conquered the Inca empire
assassinated by his own men -
1540
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
he discovered the Grand Canyon
wealthiest member of his family
attempted to find Seven Lost Cities of Gold -
Samuel de Champlain
He discovered present day Quebec.
wrote book that interested the king -
Henry Hudson
kicked off his ship and was never seen again
discovered the Hudson Bay -
Jeanne Baret
disguised herself as a man to travel on a ship
possibly discovered after meeting Native Americans
first female to circumnavigate the globe
put baby girl up for adoption in order to travel
no formal education, but best knowledge of botany at a young age
