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Jan 1, 1524
Verrazzano discovers New York Harbor
When he was sailing for France, he stumbled upon New York Harbor. -
Jan 1, 1534
Jacques Cartier navigates the St. Lawrence River and names an island.
This Frenchman navigated the St. Lawrence and named an island along the River Montreal, now called Anticosti Island. -
Jamestown is founded
Jamestown was founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers. -
Samuel de Champlain founds the colony of Quebec
The French explorer founded the colony of Quebec in modern day Canada. -
Henry Hudson claims land that will become New Netherland
An explorer for the Netherlands, Henry Hudson, claims land for Netherland to become New Netherland in the future. -
An epidemic of smallpox kills many Native Americans on the New England coast.
The Europeans on the New England coast brought over smallpox, which had not yet been exposed to Native Americans, and hence killed many Native Americans. -
Pilgrims found a colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts
English Pilgrims founded an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts. -
The Duke of York drives the Dutch out of New Netherland
The Duke of York drives the Dutch out of New Netherland, claims the colony for England, and names it New York. -
King Phillip's War begins
King Phillip's War was fought between colonists and Native Americans and began in the Colonial villages of Massachusetts. -
Sieur de la Salle explores the lower Mississippi Valley river
The Frenchman explored the lower Mississippi Valley river, claims the land for France, and names it Louisiana in Honor of the French King Louis XIV. -
The French and Indian War is fought
It is fought between the British and French over disputed land claims in Ohio Valley.
