Europeans Explore North America

  • Jan 1, 1524

    New York Harbor

    New York Harbor
    Verrazzano, sailing for France discovers New York Harbor.
  • Jan 1, 1534

    St. Lawrence River

    St. Lawrence River
    Frenchmen Jacques Cartier navigate the St. Lawrence River names an Island along the River Montreal.
  • Jamestown

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

    Quebec
    French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, founded the colony of Quebec.
  • New Netherland

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

    Small Pox
    An epidemic of smallpox, brought by Europeans, kills many Native Americans on the New England coast.
  • Plymouth

    Plymouth
    Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth,
    Massachusetts.
  • Duke of York Renames New York

    Duke of York Renames New York
    The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland. The Duke of York claims the colony for England and renamed it New York.
  • King Phillip's War

    King Phillip's War
    King Philip's War begins in colonial villages of Massachusetts, between Colonists and Native Americans.
  • Louisiana

    Louisiana
    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 Begins

    French and Indian War Begins
    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.