EARLY HISTORY OF WASHINGTON STATE AND AMERICA By Lieser139441 1492 Christopher Columbus, financed by Spain, makes the first of four voyages to the New World. 1513 Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León lands on the coast of Florida. 1542 Pacific Northwest claimed by Spain 1565 Saint Augustine, Florida, settled by the Spanish, becomes the first permanent European colony in North America. 1579 The Washington coast sighted by Sir Francis Drake and claimed for England 1592 Discovery of Strait of Juan de Fuca claimed by Juan de Fuca 1607 The Virginia Company founds a colony at Jamestown 1619 The first representative government in North America is created when the House of Burgesses meets. The first slaves arrive in Virginia 1664 The British capture New Netherland from the Dutch and rename it New York. 1681 A Quaker named William Penn founds Pennsylvania
