Exploration and Colonization

Christianity Spreads

Jan 1, 1400

During the early 1400s, people in Europe attempt to spread Christianity far and wide by traveling to distance lands through sea travel.

Henry the Navigator

Jan 1, 1490

A Portugese prince named Henry the Navigator urged sea captains to explore the coast of Africa so that he could get a route around the continent to the Spice Islands, where are/were near India.

Christopher Columbus

Jan 1, 1492

Christopher Columbus is a famous explorer. He was trying to use a shorter route to Asia, but insteaded landed in the Bahamas.

Vasco da Gama

Jan 1, 1497

Vasco da Gama found a route, much like the route that Henry the Navigator desired and sailed all the way to India.

Cabot's Quest

Jan 1, 1497

In 1497, King Henry VII sent John Cabot on a voyage to the West. Cabot eventually landed on the far northern Atlantic coast of North America, thought to be the island of Newfoundland.

Christopher Columbus

Jan 1, 1498

On one voyage in 1498, Columbus reaches another continent bellow the new world, later names America for Amerigo Vespucci.

Juan Ponce de Leon

Jan 1, 1509

Juan Ponce de Leon explored and settled the island of Puerto Rico in 1509.

Lucas' Sight

Jan 1, 1520

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon sees the Atlantic coastline of Florida on one of his voyages.

Verrazzano's Quest

Jan 1, 1524

King Francis I sent Italian Giovanni da Verrazano west.

Hernando de Soto

Jan 1, 1539

Hernando de Soto sails from Cuba to Florida.

Old Rugged Cross

Jan 1, 1560

Pedro de Coronas marks the landing of Currituck Inlet with a wooden cross.

Ribault's Quest

Jan 1, 1562

France sends Jean Ribault's colony to North America,

Rene de Laudonniere

Jan 1, 1564

Rene de Laudonniere's band of Huguenot settled on the north Florida coast.

Pedro's Quest

Jan 1, 1565

Spain sent Pedro Menendez de Aviles' troops to Florida.

Juan Pardo and Hernando Boyano

Jan 1, 1566

uan Pardo and Hernando Boyano led a group of men to the South Carolina coast.