Early Exploration By 2nd Janes Trevor Sep 3, 1492 Columbus Led is first expedition westward Sep 3, 1497 The search for new routes Vasco da Gama found a route and sailed to India Sep 3, 1497 King Henry VII Sent Cabot on a voyage to the West Sep 3, 1498 Columbus Reached South America Sep 3, 1508 Juan Ponce de Leon Explored the island of Puerto Rico Sep 3, 1513 Ponce de Leon set out with ships and crew and explored the east coast of Florida Sep 3, 1524 King Francis 1 of France sent Italian navigater westward Sep 3, 1539 Hernando de Soto sailed with a militay expidition to the west coast of Florida Sep 3, 1562 France sent a colony under the command of Jean Ribault Sep 3, 1564 The colonists gave up and returned to France
