-
1497
John Cabot
John Cabot sets out on a voyage from England. When he lands on the east coast of North America, he claims the land in the name of King Henry VII, mistakenly believing he is in Asia -
1500
Pedro Álvares Cabral
While en route to India, Pedro Álvares Cabral is blown off course and lands in Brazil, claiming it for Portugal. This discovery leads to the establishment of a Portuguese colony in South America, shaping Brazil’s future as the largest Portuguese-speaking nation. -
1517
Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses challenged the Catholic Church, leading to the rise of Protestantism and religious wars in Europe. -
1519
Ferdinand Magellan’s Circumnavigation
Magellan’s expedition was the first to sail around the world, proving the Earth was round and showing how vast the world is. -
1521
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés leads an expedition which topples the Aztec Empire, capturing Tenochtitlán. Spain gains control of vast areas and resources in the New World aided by local allies and superior arms, powering its rise as a global superpower. -
1524
Giovanni de Verrazzano
An Italian explorer of North America. He is renowned as the first European to explore the Atlantic coast of North America between Florida and New Brunswick -
1524
Vasco Da Gama
A Portuguese explorer. In 1502, during which he brutally clashed with Muslim traders in the region. -
1533
Jacques Cartier Explores Eastern Canada
Cartier’s exploration of the St. Lawrence River helped France claim land in Canada, starting the process of French colonization in North America. -
1534
Jacques Cartier
The first European to map the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. He was sent to the New World in search of riches and a new route to Asia. His exploration allowed France to lay claims to lands that would become Canada -
1557
Juan Fernandez Ladrillero and Cortes Hojea
Juan Fernandez Ladrillero and Cortes Hojea explored Chile’s coast and entered the Strait of Magellan. -
1558
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I ascends to the English throne, beginning the Elizabethan Era. -
1565
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi discovered the Marshall Islands during his voyages. -
1568
Álvaro de Mendaña
Álvaro de Mendaña reached the Solomon Islands in 1568, adding them to the map of explored territories. -
1572
St. Bartholomew's Day
The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre begins in France, targeting Huguenots (French Protestants). -
1576
Francis Drake
From England he was chosen as the leader of an expedition intended to pass around South America. He succeeded -
1577
Sir Francis Drake’s Circumnavigation
Drake became the second person to sail around the world, boosting England’s reputation as a rising maritime power. -
British East India Company
The British East India Company is established, facilitating trade with India and establishing British Influence in Asia -
Dutch East India Company
The Dutch created the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC), or the Dutch East India Company. It monopolized the spice trade of the East Indies and attempted to replace Portuguese and Spanish control of Asia. The VOC developed into a powerful economic and military organization, a harbinger of Dutch colonial expansion. -
Henry Hudson
Dutch explorer Henry Hudson sailed along the Hudson River, claiming large areas of North America for the Netherlands -
Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain established the city of Quebec, the beginning of France's permanent settlement of North America. This strengthens France's grip on the fur trade and begins to establish the colony of New France, a major competitor to English interests in the region. -
Pilgrims
The Pilgrims arrive at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, establishing a new English colony -
King Charles I
King Charles I of England is executed, leading to the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. -
Martin Frobisher
Martin Frobisher found Baffin Island, calling it "Meta Incognita," and mistakenly thought Frobisher Bay was a route to Asia. -
Glorious Revolution
The overthrow of King James II of England and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. -
Northwest Ordinance
Northwest Ordinance bans slavery in the Northwest Territory of the United States