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Aug 3, 1492
Columbus' First Voyage
Columbus began his first Voyage from Spain, going west in search of a passage to Asia. On September 8, 1492, land was spotted by someone aboard the Pinta. They landed and explored what turned out to be Central America. It is important because Columbus is credited with discovering the Americas. -
Nov 1, 1504
Cortes' Voyage
Cortes traveled to the West Indies where Velasquez, the governer, gave him command of a fleet and sent on a voyage of discovery. 11/18/1519 the leader of the Aztecs welcomed him and took him as his leader. He conquered the Aztec empire and ended up bringing back $6 million in gold to New Spain. -
Jun 2, 1519
Pineda's Voyage
Pineda was trying to find a passage from the Gulf to the Orient. He is believed to be the first European in Texas and proved that Florida was not an island. He made a detailed map of the Gulf Coast. -
Jun 17, 1527
De Vaca's Voyage Part 1
De Vaca was treasurer and Chief Officer of an expedition to explore Florida under the leadership of Narvaez. -
Nov 6, 1528
De Vaca Discovers Texas
De Vaca travelled west in search of gold they had heard about from the native americans. While on a river, their rafts were swept out to sea. They landed in Texas on Galveston Island shipwrecked after a hurricane. They encountered the Karankawa and Coahuiltecan tribes. From 1528 to 1535 he explored Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. He became a healer, led an expedition to Paraguay and performed the first surgery. He also reported of seven cities of gold. -
Mar 7, 1539
Frar Marcos and Esteban Journey
Marcos and Esteban travelled North to survey the land in Texas and Mexico. They ended up travelling toward the city of Cibola that was reported by native americans to have gold and be a northern trade center. Esteban was reported killed because he ignored orders not to enter the city of Cibola. Marcos reported a "rich and populous place which led Coronado to go there in search of gold. When no gold was found, Marcos was called a liar. -
May 25, 1539
De Soto and Moscoso
De Soto and 600 men including Moscoso left Spain to search for gold and riches in the new world they explored from Florida to Texas. On May 21, 1542, De Soto died from a fever at the Mississippi River. Moscoso continued the expedition only to return giving the same report Coronado also leading to 150 years of Spain not going to Texas. -
Jan 1, 1540
Coronado Guide To The 7 Cites Of Gold
Coronado and his men with Fray Marcos set off to find the 7 cities of gold described by Marcos. They explored 5 states including Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma only to find a Zuni Village. After that he went to search for Quivera another city full of gold but it turned out to be thatched huts.This was important history because he reported that No one go to Texas and that the land and Indians were harsh. This statement made no one go to Texas for 150 years.
