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Oct 9, 1001
Leif Eriksson: Found Iceland, Greenland, North America
Eriksson was the first European to reach North America. He sailed off course on his way back to Greenland and found North America. In 1000, Eriksson sailed to Norway and converted to Christianity. Erikkson sailed for Vinland. -
Mar 22, 1455
Henry the Navigator: Africa
Henry was a Portuguese explorer who discovered the Coast of Africa. He sailed for Portugal to find new lands and trade routes. He created a school for sailors, learned navigation, map-making, shipbuilding, and astronomy. Henry helped Portugal explore the oceans and was also known as the Prince of Portugal. -
Dec 1, 1488
Bartolomeu Dias: Found Africa
Dias sailed from Portugal to Africa, and made maps. He found the Cape of Good Hope/Despair (Atlantic Coast of South Africa). Dias sailed in hopes of finding a trading route to India. He sea route from Europe to Asia. Dias sailed for Portugal. -
Aug 3, 1492
Christoper Columbus: European Habitation of the Americas
Columbus sailed for Spain, the King/Queen wanted gold in return. He wanted to reach Asia, landed in the Americas but thought it was Asia. Columbus made 4 trips across the the Atlantic. He made way for European colonization and American goods. -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot: England to N. America
John Cabot was an Italian sailor and sailed for the English. Cabot was searching for a sea passage to the Pacific Ocean. This led to the claim of North America from England. John Cabot sailed for England. -
Jul 1, 1497
Vasco da Gama: Found India
Gama reached India by sea. He won the race to find a sea route to Asia, sailed around Africa and India. De Gama visited India three times. De Gama sailed for Portugal. -
Jan 1, 1501
Amerigo Vespucci: Name for Americas
Vespucci was known for his name of the Continents. He was an Italian merchant, explorer and navigator. This happened because he proved than Columbus sailed to America, not Asia. Vespucci also discovered Rio. Vespucci sailed for Spain. -
Jan 1, 1513
Juan Ponce de Leon: North America
De Leon was a Spanish explorer/conquistador and sailed for a Europe expedition. In 1513, de Leon explored Florida, North Carolina and searched for the fountain of youth. He later became the governor of Puerto Rico. -
Sep 27, 1513
Vasco Nunez de Balboa: Central America/Pacific Ocean
De Balboa was the first European to lead an expedition/reached the Pacific Ocean from the New World. He established the first settlement on South America. De Balboa sailed for Spain, new seas, and gold -
Jan 1, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan: Circumnavigated the World
Magellan explored because of fame and fortune. He was the first European to cross the Pacific Ocean. Magellan came from Spain with five ships, and discovered the Strait of Magellan. He established European trade routes. He sailed to find spices in Indonesia. -
Jan 1, 1521
Hernan Cortes: Mexico
Cortes was a Spanish conquistador. In 1519, He explored Mexico and conquered the Aztec. Cortes sailed for Spain. -
Jan 1, 1528
Francisco Pizarro: South America
Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador who explored the Andes Mountain in South America and conquered the Inca in their area. Pizarro's expeditions led to the Spanish conquest of Peru. Pizarro sailed for Spain. -
Oct 6, 1528
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca: 7 Cities of Gold
De Vaca was a Spanish explorer and travelled through the southwest of North America. He sailed searching for the 7 cities of gold. He was shipwrecked and landed near Texas and was one of the first Europeans to explore southwest America. -
Apr 20, 1534
Jacques Cartier: French Lands in N. America
Jacques Cartier was a Frenchman that sailed to Saint Lawrence river. He sailed for France and landed in Montreal. This led to France claiming locations in North America. -
Jan 1, 1539
Hernando de Soto: Florida
De Soto was a European explorer who discovered Florida, North Carolina, and found the Mississippi River. Even though de Salle claimed the Mississippi River and lands, De Soto was the first to find it as is. De Soto sailed for the Spanish crown. -
Jan 1, 1542
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado: Grand Canyon
Coronado was a Spanish explorer who went through the southwest of North America. He was sailing for cities of gold and was the first European to discover the Grand Canyon. He also served as the governor of Mexico until he heard stories of the cities of gold. -
Sep 1, 1542
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo: US Mapping
Cabrillo was a Portuguese sailor and mapped the west coast of the US. He sailed for the Spanish Empire and the first European to travel California. -
Henry Hudson: New York
Henry Hudson was an English captain who led a Dutch expedition to New York. He sailed for Dutch and explored Amsterdam in the 17th century. Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River led to trade routes in the US. -
Henry Hudson: Marooned
After Hudson's team didn't have as many food and supplies, they blamed Hudson and decided to throw him overboard. After, they had returned to England but were charged and arrested mutiny. -
Samuel de Champlain: St. Lawrence
Champlain mapped the coast of Canada and the Great Lakes. He established the first French settlement in Canada and founded Quebec. Champlain sailed for Canada and France. -
Rene-Robert de La Salle: Mississippi Land
La Salle was a French explorer and travelled the US, claiming lands and the valley connecting with the Mississippi River. This was a huge part of land within the US that La Salle had claimed. La Salle claimed for France. La Salle sailed for France.
