European Nations Settle in North America

New York Harbor

Mar 30, 1524

Verrazzano, sailing for France discovers New York Harbor.

St. Lawrence River

Apr 3, 1534

Frenchman Jacques Cartier navigate the St. Lawrence River names an island along the River Montreal.

Coast of Virginia

Mar 30, 1607

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

Colony of Quebec

Apr 3, 1608

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

New Netherlands

Apr 3, 1609

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

New England Coast

Apr 3, 1616

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

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Apr 3, 1620

Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

New York

Apr 3, 1652

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

Colonial villages of Massachusetts

Apr 3, 1675

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

Louisiana

Apr 3, 1683

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

Ohio Valley

Mar 30, 1754

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