European Explorers

  • Jan 1, 1000

    The Vikings

    Leif Erickson sailed west from Greenland and established a settlement in Greenland
  • Jan 1, 1008

    The Vikings

    Thorfinn Karlsefni and 160 sailed to Vinland to establish a settlement.
  • Jan 1, 1451

    Christopher Columbus

    Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, Columbus was a highly educated map maker and mariner.
  • Jan 1, 1492

    Christopher Columbus

    Christopher Columbus went to the monarchs of Spain and convinced them to finance his trip. Columbus sailed from Spain with three ships called the Santa Maria, the Nina, andd the Pinta.
  • Jan 1, 1497

    John Cabot

    Giovanni Caboto became known as John Cabot. He and his crew set sail on the 40-metre vessel the Matthew.
  • Jan 1, 1498

    John Cabot

    Cabot set sail with five ships to search again for routes to the riches of the Far East. He sailed south along Baffin Island, Labrador, and Newfoundland in search of Eastern civilization.
  • Jan 1, 1498

    John Cabot

    No one knows for certain what happened to John Cabot. Some historians believe that four of his five ships were lost at sea during his second voyage. Other historians say that Cabot returned safely to England and died the following year.
  • Jan 1, 1506

    Christopher Columbus

    Columbus died in Spain in 1506
  • Jan 1, 1534

    Jacques Cartier

    Cartier was commissioned by King Francis I of France in 1534 to travel to North America to look for spices, gold, diamonds and, most important, the passage to the Far East.
  • Jan 1, 1535

    Jacques Cartier

    Cartier returned to North America with three ships and 110 men. he brought back Chief Donnacona's two sons.
  • Jan 1, 1541

    Jacques Cartier

    Cartier returned to Canada. He settled in what is now Quebec, but times were tough. His men were difficult to control and got into trouble wit Iroquois.
  • Samuel de Champlain

    The king gave Aymar de Chaste a monopoly over the fur trade in Canada. De Chaste made one expedition to Canada that year. His ship's captain was Samuel de Champlain.
  • Samuel de Champlain

    the King appointed Sieur de Monts with a monopoly over fur trade in Canada and challenged him to establish a settlement
  • Samuel de Champlain

    The two men established a french settlement at Stadacona. This was to be pernanent fur trading post.
  • Samuel de Champlain

    under the guidance of Algonquin and Hurons allies they established
  • The Vikings

    A Viking called Eric the Red was found guilty of murdering his neighbours.