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1492
1492 Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean
Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Caribbean in 1492 marked the beginning of contact between Europeans and Native Americans -
1513
1513 Balboa "discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama
The first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World. -
1521
1521 Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).
Hernan Cortes is one of the most well known spanish conquistadors. -
1539
1539-41 De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River
De Soto led the first European expedition deep into the territory of modern day United States. -
1607 First permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown Virginia.
First permanent English settlement in the Americas. -
1620 Mayflower Pilgrims found the Plymouth colony in Massachusetts.
First colonial settlement in New England. -
1676 English settlers defeat Native Americans in king Philip's war.
Marked the last major effort by the Native Americans. -
1682 France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana.
Le Salle attempts to establish a colony on the gulf of Mexico to secure the entire river valley for France.
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