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1000
Leif Erikson
Leif Ericson was a Norse explorer from Iceland. He is the first known European to have set foot on Continental North America approximately 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/erikson_leif.shtml -
1347
The Black Death
Arrived in both Asia and Europe mid 1300's. The Plague arrived in Europe specifically on October 1347 when 12 ships from the black sea docked on Sicilian port of Messina. Most sailors aboard the ship and those still alive were ill and covered in black boils that oozed pus & blood. Even though the ships of death were sent away it was too late. Ove the next five years the black death would kill over 20 million people.
https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/black-death -
1350
The Renaissance Period
Started in Florence, Italy. Is regarded as the cultural bridge of the Middle Ages and Modern History. Lasted from 1350-1600.
http://history-world.org/renaissance.htm -
1492
Christopher Columbus sails the sea
Columbus was an Italian explorer credited with the 'discovery' of the Americas. The purpose for his voyage was to find a passage to Asia by sailing West. Instead he landed in the Americas, taking land for Spain already preoccupied by the Native Groups. (Caribbean, Central, and South America)Columbus sets sail at sea on the ship 'Santa maria' accompanied by two additional small ships, Pinta and Nina.
https://exploration.marinersmuseum.org/subject/christopher-columbus/ -
1492
The Colonial Period Begins
European nations came to the Americas to increase their wealth and broaden their influence over world affairs. The Spanish were among the first Europeans to explore the New World and settle in the Americas. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers America
After discovering the Bahamas Columbus the finds Hispaniola and claims it got the Spanish crown, along with Cuba. Begins the "The Ages of Exploration.” exploration.marinersmuseum.org/subject/christopher-columbus/. -
1497
John Cabot
Italian Navigator (born Giovani Caboto) known for his exploration under Henry VII of England. This was the first European exploration of Costal North America since the Norse. John Cabot made a British claim to land in Canada, Mistaking it for Asia during his voyage in 1497. Cabot's claim to the North American land for King Henry VII of England, helped set the course for England's rise to power in the 16th and 17th centuries.
https://www.biography.com/people/john-cabot-9234057 -
1499
Amerigo Vespucci
Italian voyager who landed in Guyana, South America
- Confirmed America was not Asia
- America is named after him.
https://exploration.marinersmuseum.org/subject/amerigo-vespucci/ -
1507
Martin Waldseemuller
German Cartographer ;Martin named the new world, "America" after the voyager Amerigo Vespucci’ after he discovered that this land was indeed a not Asia but a whole other continent entirely.
https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0309/maps.html -
1507
Gerardus Mercator and Abraham Ortelius.
Two French men who added the "New World"( America) to the world atlas. Creating a map of the new lands founded. -
1519
Ferdinand Magellan
1519-1522 he voyaged around the world. He was the first person in history to sail around the world. -
1521
Hernado Cortez
Cortez defeats the Aztec empire and claimed Mexico for Spain.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cortes_hernan.shtml -
1524
Discovery of the Hudson River
An Italian explorer, Giovanni da Verrazano, lands in the coast of north and south Carolina. He sails to the north of the coast and discovers the Hudson River. Although Giovanni discovered the Hudson river, it would later be named after Henry Hudson in the early 1600's. "Library of Congress" -
1534
Jaques Cartier
Jacque Carter was a Breton explorer who claimed what is now Canada for France through the exploration of the St. Lawrence River.
https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/jacques-cartier -
1541
Discovery of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River was discovered by Hernando Desoto, who is the first voyager to voyage into the interior land of North America. He also discovered Texas.
https://www.aoc.gov/art/historic-rotunda-paintings/discovery-mississippi-by-de-soto -
1580
British take over
English try to plant a colony in the coast of the east ( North Carolina region). There attempt did not last long, the British soon took over. -
The Lost Colony of Roanoke https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/science/the-roanoke-colonists-lost-and-found.html
1587 John White tool more than 100 settlers to Roanoke Island, located in North Carolina. This was Sir Walter Raleigh's second attempt to establish settlement but first time including civilians and families. White left and comeback about 3 years later and the settlers had vanished with only the word Croatoan carved into a fence and cro on a tree. It is believed the settlers may have migrated south but no one really knows. -
Europe defeats Spanish Armanda
Great Britain is replaced as the most power and dominate country at this time. This eventually leads to the Spain having little influence i the "new world". English became more interested in discovering more of the new world. How Did the Defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588) Change England?” How Did Public Sanitation Develop? - DailyHistory.org, dailyhistory.org/How_did_the_defeat_of_the_Spanish_Armada_(1588)_change_England%3F. -
London Company
Granted access by King James the 1st, the London company sponsored the first colonization expedition to the New World. This later supported the first colony established by England. “The Virginia Company of London.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/the-virginia-company-of-london.htm. -
First Colony Established
Ships came over from England and settled a colony in Chesapeake Bay ( Jamestown). This became America's first English settlement. ("Colonial America")
