Exploration Phase, Colonizing the Americas

Christopher Columbus Sets Sail

Nov 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus sets sail across the ocean in search of a spice route to Asia. He thinks he has reached India, though in all reality he has just set foot on a rediscovered - yet newly discovered for the Europeans, French, Dutch, and Portugese - continent.

Claimed for England

Nov 12, 1497

John Cabots Claim to the new land.The "New Foundland" is now claimed by England. Even though Chrostipher sialed for Spain, the land has been claimed for England by John Cabot. this established the claim that England had over the New Land.

Realization of a New Continent

Nov 12, 1501

The impact of his realization that this is a new continetNow Amerigo Vespucci realizes he has discovered a New Continent when he explores the Brazilian Coast. The Americas, in fact, were named after his first name. Amerigo-America. This was a major impact on the way America is today and it has been a major influence over his discoveries.

Exploration and Colonization of Present Day Florida

Nov 12, 1513

Juan Ponce de LeonJuan Ponce de Leon reaches a new height in exploration and discovers the Florida Panhandle, naming and colonizing the area he discovered. It is said that he even searched for the legendary Fountain of youth, but he never found it.

Discovery of the Pacific Ocean

Nov 12, 1513

BalboaThe Europeans uncover the existence of the Pacific Ocean, specificaly Balboa. Vasco Nunez Balboa was an English Explorer set out to sail to the New World in search of a North West Passage to Asia, as well as spreading the Roman Catholicism of his church and the colonization of new land for his country.

Circumnavigating the globe

Aug 22, 1519

Ferdinand Magellans circumnavigation of the globe synopsis.Ferdinand magellan and his crew are the first to circumnavigate the globe, sailing around the tip of South America and around throught the Pacific Ocean. Magellan actually died before his crew finished the treck around the world, but he and he is still given the title of being the first to circumnavigate the globe, along with his crew.1519-1522

Defeating the Aztec Empire

Nov 12, 1520

Hernan CortesHernan Cortez sailed for Spain in search of conquering New land and colonising the new world, spreading religion, and in search of Gold. He managed to conquer the Aztecian Empire because they, at first, mistook him for a God. Later he enlisted the help of the Natives to overthrow their own government rulers.

Discovering the Mississippi

Nov 13, 1539

De Soto discovers the Mississippi, a brief telling of his discoveryHernando De Soto is travelling with his cre and accidentaly stumbles upon the Mississippi River, becoming the first to find the Mississippi. this is signafigant to American History.

Discovering the Grand Canyon

Nov 13, 1540

The Exploration of the Grand CanyonFransisco Coronado discovers the Grand Canyon while in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. While he and his men are searching for the seven cities, they mistakenly stumble upon the grand Canyon, passing through new Mexico, nevada and some of Texas.

Sir Walter Raligh settles a colony

Nov 13, 1585

The disappearance of Roanoke.Sir Walter Raleigh settles a colony in present day Virginia, making him the ruler and governor of Roanoke. Roanoke is a very signifigant part of our history, though no one is sure as to how it mysteriously vanished from existence when John White returns after staying in London for 2 years because of war and disease. There are no signs as to how it occured other than the name of a near by island carved into a tree trunk.