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Jan 1, 1000
Vikings arrive in North America
Led by Leif Erikson, the Vikings arrive in what is now Newfoundland, after having found Iceland, Greenland, Baffin Island, and Labrador.
They create the settlement of L'Anse aux Meadows. This settlement does not last very long as there are too many conflicts with the indigenous "Skraelings". After only a few years, the Vikings abandon the settlement.
Significance: The Vikings are the first Europeans to visit North America and have the first contact with First Nations peoples -
Jun 18, 1497
John Cabot, aka Giovanni Caboto, discovers Newfoundland
Cabot and his crew on the Matthew discover the rocky coast of Newfoundland. More importantly, they discover that the N.Atlantic is full of Cod fish. Enough fish to quench the demand in Europe, satisfy all the "meatless" days in the Catholic calendar. Significance: the discovery of Newfoundland allows for Cabot to return on a second voyage. Other countries now sail across to fill their hulls with the sea creature. Salting and drying stations give a foothold on the continent to England. -
May 13, 1498
John Cabot returns on a second voyage to North America
John Cabot leaves Bristol, England for a second time. He leaves with 3 ships, and 60 men. He never returns, most likely shipwrecked off the coast of Labrador.
It is suggested that prior to his death, he sailed as far south as modern day Chesapeake Bay (Maryland).
He is said to have made the "intellectual discovery" of North America. -
Apr 20, 1534
Jacques Cartier Sails to North America
Cartier departs from Malo, France, charged with "Certain isles and countries where it is said there must be great quantities of gold and other riches.”
He knows where he is going, as he has been a fisherman and accompanied other explorers across the Atlantic -
Jun 2, 1534
Cartier sails into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, plants cross at Gaspe Peninsula
Cartier sails around the north end of Newfoundland and discovers it is an island. He sails south, along its west coast, and down to the Gaspe peninsula. There he meets the Iroquois, and their Chief, Donnacona. He erects a wooden cross, lies to the chief, and takes two of his sons with him back to France, through the gulf of the st. Lawrence. Significance: start of bad relations between Iroquois and French. -
Apr 4, 1535
Jacques Cartier's Second Voyage
Cartier returns with Donnacona's sons, venturing up the St. Lawrence river. He stops at Statacona (Quebec) to return the sons, and then carries on up the river to Hochelaga (Montreal). He climbs up a hill, names the place Mont Royal. He sees that the river does not lead out to another ocean - it is not the passage to Asia. He winters in Stadacona, many men die of scury. Sails back to France with 9 prisonners, including Donnacona.Significance: no N-W passage, relations with FN deteriorating. -
May 1, 1541
Jacques Cartier's Third Voyage
Returns with only 1 remaining FN, it is not Donnacona. He tries to build and maintain a settlement to last through the winter along the St. Lawrence. However, FN choose not to trade with him and often attack the settlement. 35 settlers die. He fills his ship with pyrite and quartz, sails back to France. He loses all credibility.
Significance: no successful colony for another 60 years. No gold in this region. -
SIeur de Monts establishes Port Royal
The SIeur de Monts, accompanied by Champlain, establishes the settlement at Port Royal after failing in other locations. They make a trading post here, hoping that it will soon be booming with business. While here Champlain is able to draw maps, and create his dining club "l'Ordre de bon temps".
Significance: this settlement would fail as a trading post, but continue on as a settlement where the Acadians would thrive for many years to come, until the English forcibly remove them.
