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Mar 28, 1300
The Story Continues
In the 1300's, people in Europe read a Marco Polo's travels to Cathay. -
Apr 23, 1400
Europeans Branch Out
People in Europe began to look to the seas and beyond. Others wanted to spread Christianity far and wide. -
Jun 10, 1492
The Search Of New Routes
Columbus led his first expedition westward. -
Aug 18, 1497
The Search For New Routes
Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama found such a route and sailed all the way to India. -
Sep 15, 1497
The Northwest Passage
King Henry VII sent Cabot on a voyage to the west. The Cabot landed on the far northern Atlantic coast of North America - probably the island of Newfoundland. -
Feb 27, 1498
The Search Of New Ruotes
Columbus reached South America. -
Sep 15, 1498
The Search Of New Routes
Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama found such a route and sailed all the way to India. -
Mar 31, 1500
Why It Matters Today
Several European nations competed for land and colonies in the New World. -
Dec 7, 1500
Spanish Exploration
Spain was taking control of mush of South and Central American. Many Caribbean islands, inculding Cuba and Hispaniola. -
Mar 6, 1508
Spanish Exploration
Juan Ponce De Leon explored and settled the island of Puerto Rico. -
Sep 16, 1509
Spanish Exploration
Taking notice in Spain, King Ferdinand authorized Ponce De Leon to explore lands north of Cuba. -
Jan 23, 1513
Spanish Explore
Ponce De Leon set out with ships and crew. His expedition landed on the east coast of Florida. A name Ponce De Leon derived from the Spanish word "flowers". -
Feb 3, 1520
Spaniards Come To North Carolina
One Spanish official who had his eyes on the mainland nore of Florida was Lucas Vazquez De Ayllon. He had seen some of the Atlantic Coast-line of this region on an expedition. -
Sep 16, 1520
The Story Continues
Spain was the most powerful nation in the world. Spanish explorers had claimed huge tracts of land in the New World. -
Jul 8, 1524
The Young Sailor
Giovanni Da Verrazano wrote a repoort of his voyage and exploorations to King Francis I of France. -
Dec 29, 1524
Verrazano's expedition
King Francis I of France sent Italian navigator Giovanni Da Verrazano westward. Verrazano first reached land at North Carolina's Outer Banks. -
Jul 7, 1526
Rio Jordan Colony
Ayllon led a group of over 500 men, women, and children to a river he called :Jordan:. -
Oct 16, 1526
Rio Jordan Colony
The 150 remaining colonists returned to HIspaniola. -
Apr 21, 1539
De Soto's Expedition
From there, De Soto's soldiers marched northward to a site near present-day Tallahassee, Florida. There they spend the winter. -
Aug 1, 1539
De Soto Expedition
Hernando De Soto sailed with a military expedition from Havana, Cuba to the west coast of Florida. -
Jan 19, 1540
De Soto's Expedition
From there, De Soto's soldiers marched northward to a site near present-day Tallahassee, Florida. There they spend the winter. -
Sep 16, 1560
The Spanish Set Sights Southward
The Atlantic coastal region that is today part of the southeastern United States had seen a flurry of Spanish activity. -
Sep 18, 1560
The Spanish Set Sights Southward
With possession of Florida fairly secure and greater wealth to the south, Spaniards focused their attention southward. -
Apr 16, 1562
Port Royal
Ribault's Huguenots attempted to seettle near present-day Port Royal, South Carolina. -
Nov 15, 1562
France And Spain Fight For Land
Frace sent a colony under the command of Jean Riibault to North America. -
Sep 16, 1564
Port Royal
Despite the reportedly favorable conditions at Port Royal, the colonist gave up and returned to France. -
Sep 16, 1565
St. Augustine
Spain sent troops under Pedro Menendez De Aviles to Florida. Just south of Fort Caroline, Menendez built a fort at St. Augustine. -
Sep 16, 1566
More Spanish Expeditions
An expedition set out for Chesapeake Bay from the West indies to set up a Catholic mission. A mission is a settlement designed to convert people to a particular religion. -
Sep 16, 1566
More Spainsh Expeditions
Juan Pardo and Hernando Boyano led a small group of men to the South Carolina coast.