The french By emily123 Nov 4, 1453 Turks captured Constantinople Nov 4, 1497 John Cabot, an Italian sailing for the English king, had raised the English flag, probably in Newfoundland Nov 4, 1524 Italian sailor named Verrazano, who explored the coastline of North America from Florida as far north as modern Nova Scotia Mar 5, 1534 Jacques Cartier began a series of explorations Mar 29, 1535 Cartier's second voyage Feb 26, 1567 Champlain was born at Brouage in western France Nov 4, 1660 The population increased from about two thousand Nov 4, 1661 King Louis XIV took personal control of the government in France