U.S. By maryam.552 Oct 24, 1497 Italian born John Cabot claims North America for England. Period: Oct 24, 1497 to Oct 24, 2003 U.S. Oct 24, 1534 Jacques Cartier of France explores the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Oct 24, 1607 Captain John Smith founds the English colony of Jamestown. Oct 24, 1609 Henrey Hudson explores Northeastern North America including the Hudson River. Oct 24, 1763 Treaty of Paris ends French and Indian War. Oct 24, 1776 Colonists declare their independence from England with the Declaration of Independence. Oct 24, 1803 Louisiana Purchase Treaty signed with France. Oct 24, 1812 War of 1812 between United States and Great Britin. Oct 24, 1846 Oregon Treaty signed and the boundary between Canada and the United States is established at the 49th parallel. (line of latitude) Oct 24, 1861 Civil War begins Oct 24, 1865 Civil War ends Oct 24, 1867 Alaska is purchased from Russia Oct 24, 1896 Gold is discovered in the Yukons Klondike Oct 24, 1917 United Stated enters WWI fighting with the British and French Oct 24, 1945 U.S. drops atomic bomb on HIroshima and Nagasaki. Oct 24, 1969 Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon Oct 24, 1989 Unites States sign a Free Trade Agreement with Canada Oct 24, 1991 Persian Gulf War Oct 24, 1994 North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is signed between Canada, the United States, and Mexico Oct 24, 2003 Occupation of Iraq by the United States