-
Oct 9, 1001
Leif Erikson sailed for himself (On accident)
First European believed to have set foot on North America. He went to Norway, was converted to Christianity by Count Olaf, and on his way back was blown off-course and landed on America. -
1419
Prince Henry sailed for Portugal
Opened a school for sailors and gave them financial support that helped them explore the seas. -
1488
Batolomew Dias sailed for Portugal
Sailed from Portugal to the tip of Africa. Discovered the Cape of Good Hope (1488) -
1492
Christopher Columbus sailed for Spain
He made four trips across the Atlantic to the Americas (1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502). -
1497
Vasco de Gama sailed for Portugal
Sailed all around Africa to India, won European race for route to Asia. (1497) -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot sailed for England
He landed in Canada, claiming it for England. -
1501
Amerigo Vespucci (Spain, Portugal, Italy)
Merchant, explorer, and cartographer. He sailed around the tip of South America, discovering that the New World was, in fact, not a part of Asia (Everyone else thought it was). -
1513
Vasco Nunez de Balboa sailed for Spain
Crossed Central America do discover the Pacific Ocean -
1513
Juan Ponce de Leon sailed for Europe
Accompanied Columbus on his voyages. Also founded Florida in 1513. -
1519
Hernan Cortes sailed for Spain
Conquistador who had an exploration in Mexico. He defeated the Aztecs. Spent the rest of his life seeking validation from Spain. -
1519
Ferdinand Magellan sailed for Portugal and Spain
Ferdinand Magellan headed an expedition in 1519 that circumnavigated the world. -
Nov 6, 1528
Alavr Nunez Cabeza de Vaca sailed for Spain
Was shipwrecked, but made the best of it and found present-day Texas. He was attacked by Indians along the way. -
1531
Jacques Cartier sailed for France
He claimed Canada for France, much like Cabot did for England. -
Nov 15, 1532
Francisco Pizzaro sailed for Spain
He was an explorer known for defeating the Inca. -
1540
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado sailed for Spain
Led an exploration in 1540 up the western coast of Mexico and southwestern America. -
1541
Hernando de Soto sailed for Spain
Explored Florida and Mississippi, but died after crossing the Mississippi river. -
1542
Juan Cabrillo sailed for Spain
Discovered the San Diego Bay while searching for the Strait of Anne. -
Henry Hudson sailed for England
His first sailing trip was in 1609, before he was recalled to England to find a shorter route to Asia. He was driven back twice by ice in the Atlantic Ocean. -
Samuel de Champlain sailed for France
Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec in Canada in 1608. -
Henry Hudson sailed for England (Part Two)
After being driven back by the ice in the Atlantic Ocean, he tried a different approach and went more eastern-ish, hearing of a route across North America on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. When this was done, he went on a voyage for England in 1610. He never returned, victim to mutiny from his crew. -
Rene-Robert de La Salle sailed for France
La Salle explored for France in 1684. He and his crew went from Illinois to Louisiana (Named after King Louis XIV of France), but was killed by his crew in present-day Texas.
