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Period: Jan 1, 1518 to
Explorers to Texas
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Jul 1, 1519
Cortez lands in Mexico
Hernan Cortes, an explorer from Spain, lands in present day Mexico as he searches for gold and glory -
Oct 5, 1519
Pineda maps the Texas coast
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Oct 31, 1521
Cortez and the Aztecs
The Aztecs first thought that Cortez was one of their gods, come to earth in human form. He conquered them, using the advantages of advanced weapons, horses and with the help of disease (smallpox) that the Spaniards brought! -
Sep 3, 1527
Cabaza de Vaca
Cabaza de Vaca was a part of the Narvaez expedition that landed in Florida, then made boats out of the hides of their horses and sailed to Texas, where they crashed. After being captured by the Karankawas, de Vaca was one of only 4 survivors. -
Mar 10, 1534
de Vaca Escapes and wanders Texas
Cabeza de Vaca lived as a prisoner with the Indians for a few years, becoming a healer, or "Shaman". Eventually he was either released or escaped and wandered for thousands of miles through Texas and Mexico. -
Apr 27, 1540
Cornado sets out to find fame and forturne
After hearing de Vaca's stories of supposed wealth in the new land, Coronado set out with 1,000 men to find those riches -
Oct 17, 1542
Desoto/Moscoso
After traveling with DeSoto from Florida and helping to "discover" the Mississippi River, where DeSoto dies, Moscoso enters East Texas. He encounters the friendly indians, who give the name "Tay Yas", which became "Tejas", then Texas -
Nov 10, 1542
Coronado comes up empty handed
After searching the Southwest (and finding the Grand Canyon), Coronado decides there are no golden cities of Cibola and gives up. He came into Texas in the Panhandle area, then turned and left! -
Jamestown Settled
Jamestown, the first permanent English colony was established in the area that is now Virginia -
LaSalle Explores the Mississippi River
LaSalle travels down the Mississippi River, claiming the region along the way for France. He goes back to France and tells of the potential of the land, then sets sail back with 4 ships. -
Ft. St. Louis Established
After one of his ships turned back and returned to France, one was taken by pirates, the final two crashed in Matagordo Bay. LaSalle had missed the mouth of the Mississippi, his planned destination by 100 miles. He established Ft. St. Louis in Texas. It soon failed because of Indian attacks and lack of supplies.
