European nations

  • Apr 15, 1524

    Verrazzano

    Verrazzano, sailing for France discovers New York Harbor
  • Apr 15, 1534

    Jacques Cartier

    Frenchman Jacques Cartier navigate the St. Lawrence River names an island along the river Montreal.
  • Apr 15, 1544

    Sieur de la Salle

    Sieur de la Salle explores the lower Mississippi Valley river, and claims the valley for France and names it Louisiana in honor of the French King Louis XIV.
  • Jamestown

    Jamestown is founded on the coast of Virgina by 100 English settlers.
  • Founded Quebec

    French explorer, Samuel de Champlaun, founds the colony of Quebec.
  • Smallpox

    An epidemic of smallpox, brought by Europeans, kills many native Americans on the New England coast.
  • Pilgrims

    Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
  • Henry Hudson

    Henry Hudson, exploring for hte Netherlands, claims land that will become new Netherland.
  • The Duke

    The Duke of York drives out hte Dutch in New Netherland. THe Duke of York claims the colony for England and renames it New York.
  • King Philip

    King Philip's War begins in Colonial villiages of Massachusetts between colonists and Native Americans.
  • French and Indian

    War between the British and French, known as the French and indian War. The war is fought ofver disputed land claims inthe Ohio Valley.