Verrazzano, sailing for France discovers New York Harbor
Jan 1, 1534
Frenchman Jacques Cartier navigates the St. Lawrence River; names an island along the River Montreal
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, Massachusetts
The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland. Duke of York claims the colony for England and renames it New York.
King Phillip's War begins in Colonial villages of Massachusetts, between colonists and Native Americans
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.
