-
Lief Ericson sails from Norway, discovers Greenland and Eastern Canada.
-
Christopher Columbus departs Spain seeking an easier route to India and China.
-
Christopher Columbus discovers land in America. He stopped at an island in the Bahamas that he named San Salvador.
-
John Cabot lands in Canada and makes first Canadian claim for England.
-
Hernan Cortez discovers Mexico. The Aztecs believed he was a God returning. Later in the year Cortez conquers the Aztecs and claims Mexico for Spain.
-
Jacques Cartier discovers St. Lawrence, sails as far as present-day Montreal. Makes Canadian claims for France.
-
Henry Hudson discovers New York and sails up the river that now bears his name. He sailed as far north as present-day Albany.
