European Settlement (1492-1642) By hattrick Nov 17, 1492 1492 Christopher Columbus reaches North America Nov 17, 1497 1497 John cabot explores northeast canada Nov 17, 1513 1513 juan ponce de leon explores flordia Nov 17, 1534 1534 Jacques cartier expllores st. lawrence river, canada Nov 17, 1565 1565 fort built at st augustine, flordia Nov 17, 1585 1585 roanoke settlement started in north carolina Nov 17, 1605 1605 port royal, nova scotia, canada founded Nov 17, 1607 1607 jamestown, Virginia founded Nov 17, 1608 1608 Quebec, canada founded Nov 17, 1609 1609 Henry hudson explores hudson river, new york Nov 17, 1614 1614 fort nassau built, near present day albany, new york Nov 17, 1620 1620 plymouth, massachusetts founnded Nov 17, 1624 1624 fort orange built, now albany, new york Nov 17, 1626 1626 new amsterdam founded, now new york city Nov 17, 1638 1638 fort christina built in delaware Nov 17, 1642 1642 montreal, canada founded