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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus
Christopher Columbus sets sail to discover the whole world and to prove the earth was round like a ball. -
Jan 1, 1521
Hernando Cortez defeats the Aztecs
Hernando Cortes and with his less than 1000 troops defeated 1,000,000 Aztecs in 1521. The spanish explorer got gold, silver, and spices. -
Jan 1, 1535
Hernando Cortes reaches Baja California
When he reached Baja California in 1535, he thought it was an island, but it was a peninsula which is that has water almost all around the area. -
Jan 1, 1542
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo finds Alta California
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo finds Alta California in 1542. Alta means higher or upper which is because it is greater north from Baja California. -
Dec 1, 1577
Drake sets sail to New Spain
Drake sets sail to New Spain and attacks spanish settlements and stole gold and other riches. -
Jan 1, 1579
Drake claims California for England
In 1579, Drake reached the California's coast and claimed the land for England and circled the globe before returning back to England. -
Cermeno sails to the coast of California
Cermeno sails to the coast of California from the Philippines to look for safe harbors where sailors can stop for repairs and supplies. -
Vizcaino finds Monteray Bay
Vizcaino finds Monteray Bay in 1602. -
Russians, another problem
Russians and other Europeons want to explore the coast of Alta California. -
James Cook
In 1788, James Cook from England also looked for the passage along the northwestern coast of North America. He, too, failed to find the passage.
