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1492
Christopher Columbus
Lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean. -
Period: 1492 to
Exploration Settlement
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1513
Balboa
"discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama -
1521
Cortez
conquers the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) -
1539
De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River
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First permanent settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia
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Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts
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English settlers defeat Native Americans in King Phillips War
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France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana