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Jan 1, 1492
1492 - 1493 Christopher Columbus explores islands off the coast of the North American continent, not realizing he has found a new land.
Christopher Columbus explores islands off the coast of the North American continent, not realizing he has found a new land. -
Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
Exploration of North America by Europeans
The age of exploration in North America began in 1492 with the journey of Christopher Columbus. It started with a desire to find another way to the East where the Europeans had created a lucrative trade route. However, once the explorers realized they had discovered a new continent, their countries began to explore and later settle in America. The following timeline covers the key events of the period 1492 - 1585. -
Jan 1, 1497
John Cabot sights Newfoundland and Labrador, claiming this area for England before sailing south towards Maine and returning to England.
John Cabot sights Newfoundland and Labrador, claiming this area for England before sailing south towards Maine and returning to England. -
Jan 1, 1498
John and Sebastian Cabot explore from Labrador to Cape Cod.Vincente Pinzon and Solis explore the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Florida.
John and Sebastian Cabot explore from Labrador to Cape Cod.
Vincente Pinzon and Solis explore the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Florida. -
Jan 1, 1500
1500-1502 - João Vaz Corte-Real explores the coast of North America.
1500-1502 - João Vaz Corte-Real explores the coast of North America. -
Jan 1, 1500
Pedro Álvares Cabral explores Brazil.Vicente Yáñez Pinzón discovers the Amazon River in Brazil.
Pedro Álvares Cabral explores Brazil.
Vicente Yáñez Pinzón discovers the Amazon River in Brazil. -
Jan 1, 1513
1513 - Juan Ponce de León finds and names Florida. Legend has it, he searches for the Fountain of Youth.
Juan Ponce de León finds and names Florida. Legend has it, he searches for the Fountain of Youth. -
Jan 1, 1523
Pánfilo de Narváez became governor of Florida but died after dealing with a hurricane, attacks by native americans, and disease.
1523 - Pánfilo de Narváez became governor of Florida but died after dealing with a hurricane, attacks by native americans, and disease. -
Jan 1, 1535
Jacques Cartier travels up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec and Montreal.
1535 - Jacques Cartier travels up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec and Montreal. -
Jan 1, 1539
Fray Marcos de Niza searches for the Seven Cities of Gold and wanders over New Mexico.
1539 - Fray Marcos de Niza searches for the Seven Cities of Gold and wanders over New Mexico. -
Jan 1, 1540
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado
1540-42 - Francisco Vásquez de Coronado explores the Gila River, the Rio Grande, and the Colorado River. He reaches as far north as Kansas before returning to Mexico City. He too searches for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. -
Jan 1, 1542
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sails up the California Coast and claims it for Spain.
1542 - Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sails up the California Coast and claims it for Spain. -
Jan 1, 1543
Hernando De Soto
1543 - Followers of Hernando De Soto sail from the Mississippi River to Mexico. Bartolome Ferrelo continues sailing north up California and reaches what is probably present day Oregon. -
Jan 1, 1565
The first permanent European settlement is founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles at St. Augustine, Florida.
1565 - The first permanent European settlement is founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles at St. Augustine, Florida. -
Sir Walter Raleigh
1584 - Sir Walter Raleigh lands on Roanoke Island and calls the land Virginia. -
Colony dissapears
1585 - Roanoke in Virginia is settled. However, this is short-lived. When John White returns two years later, the colony has disappeared. An additional group of settlers is left at Roanoke. When John White returns in 1590, the settlement has yet again disappeared. To this day, mystery surrounds their disappearance.
