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1520
An epidemic of smallpox brought by Europeans
This epidemic killed many Native Americans on the New England coast. -
1524
Verrazzano, sailing for France, discovers New York Harbor
His expedition was aimed to find a passage to the west from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. -
1534
Frenchmen Jacques Cartier navigate the St. Lawrence River
Cartier names an Island along the River Montreal. -
Jamestown was founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers.
The settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America -
French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, founded the colony of Quebec
Champlain created the first accurate coastal map during his explorations and founded various colonial settlements -
Henry Hudson, exploring for the Netherlands
Hudson claims land that will become New Netherland and is now known as the state of New York -
Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The pilgrims were English settlers who traveled to America on the Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts -
The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland.
The Duke of York claimed the colony for England and renamed it New York. -
King Philip's War begins
The war started in colonial villages of Massachusetts, between Colonists and Native Americans. -
Sieur de la Salle explores the lower Mississippi Valley river.
Salle claims the Valley for France and names it Louisiana in honor of the French King Louis XIV. -
War between the British and French, known as the French & Indian War.
The war is fought over disputed land claims in the Ohio River Valley.