Exploration Timeline

Henry The Navigator

Apr 27, 1400

Prince of Portugal who led military campaigns in North Africa and directed voyages that spurred the growth of Portugal's colonial empire.

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

Sep 21, 1486

They were the king and queen of Spain that had to support Christopher Columbus's voyage and they only would if the got the credit for it. They were then given the credit which gave Columbus the approval.

Christopher Columbus

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus thought Asia could be reached by sailing west from Europe. Columbus had to first persuade King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, to support a trip of exploration. In 1492 Columbus led his first expedition westward. and landed in the Bahamas in which he thought was near Asia. In 1498 Columbus reached South America.

Hernado de Soto

Dec 3, 1496

Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States, and the first documented European to have crossed the Mississippi River.

John Cabot

Jul 6, 1497

John Cabot was an Italian navigator and explorer whose 1497 discovery of parts of North America under the commission of Henry VII of England is commonly held to have been the first European exploration. He failed to find the Northwest passage in time. Europeans gave up on their search for the route.

Vasco da Gama

Jul 8, 1497

He was a Porteguese Explorer that found a route and sailed all the way to India

Juan Ponce de Leon

Sep 4, 1508

Juan Ponce de Leon was a spanish offical in the New World. In 1508 he explored and setteled the island of Purto Rico. He them told King Ferdinand and the king then wanted him to explore the lands of North of Cuba. Juan Ponce de Leon's expedition reaveled the large tracts of land ripe for exploration, north of the Carribbean islands.

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon

Sep 4, 1520

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon was a Spanish explorer who in 1526 established the short-lived San Miguel de Gualdape colony, the first European attempt at a settlement in what is now the continental United States.

Giovanni da Verrazano

Sep 3, 1524

King Francis sent Italian navigator Giovanni da Verrazano westward. Verrazano first reached land at the North Carolina Outer Banks. Verrazano then explored farther up the coast. The french king was now occupied with military challenges at home and did not sponsor anymore of Giovanni's voyages.

Jean Ribault

Apr 13, 1562

Jean Ribault was a French naval officer, navigator, and a colonizer of what would become the southeastern United States. He was a major figure in the French attempts to colonize Florida.

Rene de Laundonniere

Dec 6, 1564

René Goulaine de Laudonnière was a French Huguenot explorer and the founder of the French colony of Fort Caroline in what is now Jacksonville, Florida.