European Nations Settle in North America

Verrazano, sailing for France discovers New York Harbor

Apr 23, 1524

Frenchmen Jacques Cartier navigates the St, Lawrence River, names an Island along the river Montreal

Apr 23, 1534

Jamestown is founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers

Apr 23, 1607

French explorer, Samual de Champlain, founds the colony of Quebec

Apr 23, 1608

Henry Hudson, exploring for the Netherlands, claims land that will become New Netherland

Apr 23, 1609

An epidemic of smallpox, brought by Europeans, kills many Native Americans on the New England coast

Apr 23, 1616

Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts

Apr 23, 1620

War between the British and French, known as French & Indian War. War is fought over disputed land claims in the Ohio Valley

Apr 23, 1654

The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland. The Duke claims the colony for England and renames it New York

Apr 23, 1664

King Phillip's War begins in Colonial villages of Massachusetts, between colonists and Native Americans

Apr 23, 1675

Sieur de la Salle explores the lower Missippi Valley river, and claims the valley for France and names it Louisiana in Honor of the French King Louis XIV

Apr 23, 1683