Verrazzano, sailing for France discovers New York Harbor
Jamestown is founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers
French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, founds the colony of Quebec
Henry Hudson, exploring for the Netherlands, claims land that will become New Netherland
An epidemic of smallpox, brought by Europeans, kills many native Americans on the New England coast.
Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachsetts
The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland. The Duke of York claims the colony for England and renames it New York
King Philip's War begins in Colonial villages of Massachusetts, between colonists and Native Americans
Frenchman Jacques Cartier navigates the St. Lawrence River names an island along the River Montreal
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
War between the British and French, known as the French & Indian War. The war is fought over disputed land claims in the Ohio Valley.
