Exploration of the New World By nicoleeller Oct 2, 1400 Europeans Started Looking Europeans in the early 1400s began looking toward the seas and beyond for adventures, to spread Christianity, Sep 3, 1492 In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed to the "New World," Sep 3, 1497 Portuguse explorer, Vasco Da Gama, found a route and sailed all the way to India. Sep 3, 1497 In 1497 King Henry VII sent John Cabot on a voyage to the west. Sep 3, 1508 Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spanish official in the New World. He explored and settled the island of Puerto Rico. Sep 3, 1520 Lucas Vazquez de Ayllo was a Spanish official who had his eyes on the mainland north of Florida. Sep 3, 1539 Herando de Soto sailed with a military expedition from Cuba to the west coast of Florida. Sep 3, 1564 A band of Hugenots, led by Rene de Laundonnier settled at Fort Caroline on the north Florida coast. Sep 3, 1566 Juan Pardo and Hernando Boyano led a small group of men to the South Carolina coast. Sep 3, 1568 Pedro Menendez de Aviles from Spain lead troops to Florida where he built a fort at St. Auguestine. Sep 3, 1592 King Francis I of France sent Italian navigator Giovanni de Verrazano westward where he first landed on North Carolina's Outerbanks.