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Oct 9, 1001
Leif Erickson Sailing for Europe
In 1001, Erickson became the first European to reach North America, by sailing off track on his way back to Greenland. In 1000 he sailed to Norway and got converted into Christianity. -
Feb 3, 1488
Bartolomeu Dias Sailing for Portugal
In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to round the southern tip of Africa. Making a sea route from Europe to Asia. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Sailing for Spain
In 1492 Columbus took 90 sailors in three ships on a voyage. On October 12, 1492, one of Columbus's ships, Pinta, found land and he abandoned his ship, Santa Maria, and went ashore. He and his men arrived in North America. -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot Sailed for the English
Cabot was an Italian sailor, he was searching for a sea passage to the Pacific Ocean. This led to the claim of North America from England. -
Jul 8, 1497
Vasco da Gama Sailing for Portugal
Da Gama was the first European to reach India from the Atlantic Ocean. In July 1497, he rounded the Cape of Good Hope and stopped at the east cost of Africa. Then continued across the Indian Ocean and had to fight his way out in 1499 against the Muslims. He then died in Cochin. -
Jan 1, 1501
Amerigo Vespucci Sailing for Europe
In 1502 Vespucci, merchant and explorer, found out that Columbus was wrong and he sailed to America. They then named America after Vespucci because he also sailed there. -
Jan 1, 1513
Juan Ponce de Leon Sailing for Europe
De Leon was a Spanish explorer/conquistador in 1513, he explored Florida and North Carolina. While searching for the fountain of youth, he later became the governor of Puerto Rico. -
Sep 27, 1513
Vasco Nunez de Balbo Sailed for Portugal
In 1513 Balbo lead the first expedition to the Pacific Ocean from the New World. He established the first settlement on South America and explored for new gold and seas. -
Jan 1, 1518
Hernan Cortes sailing for Spain
Cortes is a conquistador who found Mexico and explored it. He is also well known for defeating the Aztecs. -
Jan 1, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan Sailed for Europe
In 1519 Magellan was the first European to cross the Pacific Ocean, from Spain with five ships and discovered the Straight of Magellan. Established European trade routes. -
Jan 1, 1528
Francisco Pizarro Sailing for Spain
Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador that explored the Andes Mountains in South America. He also conquered the Inca on their land. Pizarro's expeditions led to the Spanish conquest of Peru. -
Oct 6, 1528
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Sailing for Europe
De Vaca was a Spanish explorer who traveled through the southwest of North America. His mission and motivation to sail was to find the seven cities of gold. But he shipwrecked and landed near Texas and was one of the first Europeans to explore the southwest part of America. -
Apr 20, 1534
Jacques Cartier Sailed for France
Cartier was a Frenchman that sailed to Saint Lawrence river. He sailed to France and landed in Montreal. This led to France claiming locations in North America. -
Jan 1, 1539
Hernando de Soto Sailing for the Spanish Crown
De Soto was a European explorer who discoverer Florida, North Carolina, and found the Mississippi River. Even though LaSalle claimed the river, De Soto was the first to find it as is. -
Jan 1, 1542
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado sailed for Europe
Coronado served as a governor of Mexico until her heard the stories of the cities of gold. Coronado sailed for the cities of gold and was the first European to discover the Grand Canyon. -
Sep 1, 1542
Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo Sailing for Portugal
Cabrillo mapped the west coast of the US. He sailed for the Spanish Empire and the first European to travel California. -
Henry Hudson Sailing for Dutch
Hudson was an English captain who led a Dutch expedition to New York. He explored Amsterdam in the 17th century. His exploration of the Hudson River led to trade routes in the US. -
Henry Hudson kicked off
After Hudson's team didn't have as much food or supplies, they blamed him and decided to throw him overboard. Then they returned to England but were charged and arrested mutiny. -
Samuel de Champlain Sailing for Canada and France
Champlain mapped the coast of Canada and the Great Lakes. He established the first French settlement in Canada and found Quebec. -
Prince Henry the Navigator sailed for Portugal
Prince Henry made a school, for the men of Portugal, so they could learn how to sail. He spent lots of money on the schools he founded and expeditions exploring the coast of Africa. -
Rene-Robert de LaSalle Sailed for France
LaSalle was a French explorer who traveled the US, claiming lands and valleys, one of those being connecting to the Mississippi River. LaSalle claimed a huge part of the US for France .
