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1494
The Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas gets signed. -
1524
Giovanni da Verrazzano
He sailed to North America in search of a sea route to the Pacific. -
1534
Jacques Cartier
He reached a gulf off the eastern coast of Canada that led to a broad river. -
Samuel de Champlain
He sailed up the St. Lawrence with about 32 colonists. -
Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet
He explored the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River.