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Jan 1, 1000
Erik the Red
Erik the Red was the first European to reach Northern Canada. He established a colony in what is known as Newfoundland, but the colony failed not long after, and history of this discovery has been unknown for centuries until Viking artifacts were found in Canada. -
Mar 4, 1394
Prince Henry the Navigator
Prince Henry the Navigator was a very important figure in the Age of Exploration. He was responsible for funding many exploratory voyages, and these voyages discovered many things, from the understanding of wind currents to the Atlantic gyre, which allowed ships to return swiftly from the Canary Islands. -
Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus made first contact with the native Americans of the Gulf of Mexico in 1492. He would be buried on one of the islands he had discovered in an unmarked grave. -
Jun 7, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
This treaty stated that Portugal would get half of South America, and Spain would get the other half. -
Sep 22, 1497
John Cabot
John Cabot was an English explorer that explored what is now the state of Maine. -
Sep 22, 1499
Amerigo Vespucci
Amerigo Vespucci discovered South America. -
Jan 1, 1519
Hernán Cortés
In 1519, an expedition under his command was cancelled by a superior, but Hernan ignored this order and went on to conquer the Aztec empire, Mexico, and Central America for Spain. -
Sep 19, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan
On September 20, 1519, Ferdinand Magellan started a three year voyage to the spice islands in an attempt to find a western trade route to India. -
Apr 20, 1534
Jacques Cartier
Jacques Cartier was a French explorer that claimed Canada for France, and is credited for exploring the St. Lawrence region of Canada. -
Sep 22, 1540
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro conquered Peru and the Incan Empire for Spain in 1540. -
Roanoke Colony
This was the first English colony in North America. -
Jamestown
Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in the New World. -
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson is the English explorer for which the Hudson Bay is named. He was marooned on an island there by his crew after suggesting that they continue west to China.
