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1524
Verrazzano
Verrazzano, sailing for France, discovers the New York Harbor. -
1534
Jacques Cartier
Frenchman Jacques Cartier navigates the Saint Lawrence River and names an island along the River Montreal. -
Jamestown
Jamestown is founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers. -
Samuel de Champlain
French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, founded the colony of Quebec. -
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson, exploring for the Netherlands, claims land that will become New Netherland. -
Smallpox Epidemic
An epidemic of smallpox, brought by Europeans, kills many Native Americans on the New England coast. -
Pilgrims
Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts. -
Duke of York
The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland, claiming the colony for England and renaming it New York. -
King Philip's War
King Philip's War begins in Colonial Villages of Massachusetts, between colonists and Native Americans. -
Sieur de la Salle
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. -
French and Indian War
War between the British and French, known as the French and Indian War, fought over disputed land claims in the Ohio Valley.
