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1524
New York Harbor
Verrazzano, sailing for France, discovers New York Harbor. -
1524
St. Lawrence River
Frenchmen Jacques Cartier navigate the St. Lawrence River names an Island along the River Montreal. -
Jamestown
Jamestown was founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers. -
Samuel de Champlain
French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, founded the colony of Quebec. -
New Netherland
Henry Hudson, exploring for the Netherlands, claims land that will become New Netherland -
Native Americans
An epidemic of smallpox, brought by Europeans, kills many Native Americans on the New England coast. -
English colony found in Massachusetts
Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts. -
The 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. -
War and colonial villages
King Philip's War begins in colonial villages of Massachusetts, between Colonists and Native Americans. -
Sieur de la Salle claims Louisiana for France
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 & Indian War. The war is fought over disputed land claims in the Ohio River Valley.