The French By kman Aug 1, 1000 The Norsemen came to the east coast of Canada Sep 21, 1492 Christopher Columbus was the first recorded European to take note of the New World Jul 15, 1534 Jacques Cartier began a series of explorations and discovered the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River as far west as the Lachine Rapids. Sep 24, 1535 Cartier's second voyage Apr 2, 1541 Cartier's third voyage May 4, 1567 Champlain was born at Brouage in western France Oct 21, 1603 The French government renewed its interest in New France Oct 9, 1604 Champlain set up a post in Acadia Mar 11, 1608 Champlain moved the head quarters of the colony of New France to Quebec Jun 28, 1635 Champlain died in Quebec Sep 23, 1649 The Iroquois Confederacy invaded and destroyed Huronia and the Jesuit missions to the Huron Oct 21, 1660 The population or New France was little more than 2,000 Jul 17, 1661 King Louis XIV took personal control of the government in France Jan 5, 1670 The population increased from 2,000 to 10,000 Oct 22, 1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham Oct 22, 1776 America becomes a separated from the British rule