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Period: Jan 1, 1490 to
Age of Exploration
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Sep 6, 1492
Columbus' First Voyage
On this day, Columbus departed from Spain with three ships heading west to find Asia. Obviously, he did not find it, but the New World, although he died believing he had reached Asia. -
Sep 24, 1493
Columbus' Second Voyage
Columbus was sent on a second voyage to the Americas by the Spanish crown, but this time with much more funding. He received fifteen Caravels and two larger flagships, called Naos. -
Apr 25, 1500
Pedro Alvares Cabral
In 1500, Pedro Alvares Cabral landed in and claimed Brazil for Portugal. He went on to discover and claim Madagascar for Portugal as well. -
Aug 15, 1521
Cortes Conquers the Aztecs
Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs in 1521. He also claimed all their former empire for the Spanish crown. -
Sep 12, 1524
Discovery of Chesapeake Bay
Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon discovered Chesapeake Bay and established a short-lived colony at the base of the future James River for Spain. This was the first European colony in North America, but the exact founding date is unknown. -
Apr 20, 1534
Quebec Claimed for France
Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, claimed Quebec for France while he was exploring Saint Lawrence Bay. He was famous for trading with the Native American tribes in that area. -
Sep 12, 1539
Texas Explored
Estevanico was the first non-American person to explore Texas and southern North America. He was also the first black person in the Americas. -
Jun 27, 1542
Californian Coast Explored
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo explored the Californian coastline in 1542 for Spain. He had served as a crossbowman in Cortes' coquest of the Aztecs before he was an explorer. -
Canada claimed for England
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, the half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, lands in Newfoundland and claims it and Canada for Queen Elizabeth. This is the creation of English presence in the Americas. -
Establishment of Roanoke Colony
Sir Walter Raleigh, a favorite privateer of Queen Elizabeth, obtained a charter from the crown and established a colony on Roanoke Island in South Carolina. This is the colony whose disappearance created the infamous Roanoke Mystery.
