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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus reaches the New World
Christopher Columbus reaches the Bahamas, Columbus makes four more voyages to the New World. -
Sep 10, 1507
America Named
Geographer Martin Waldseemüler, was the first to use the name "America" to refer to newly discovered contintents -
Jun 17, 1519
Circumnavigation
Ferdinand Magellan's ships were the first to circumnavigate the globe. -
Nov 8, 1519
Fall of Tenochtitlan
Hernán Cortés and approximately 100 Spaniards capture the capital of the Aztec Empire. -
Jun 30, 1520
Night of Tears
"The Night of Tears" is where Cortes lost nearly 2/3 of his men, when they were attempting to escape Technotitlan after the death of Moctezuma. -
Dec 22, 1521
First African Slaves
The first African slaves were imported by the Spanish in the territory which is now known as the United States. -
Jun 17, 1532
Printing Press
The first printing press is set up in Mexico City, and prinitng is introduced to the New World -
Nov 4, 1535
St. Lawrence River
Jacques Cartier explored the Northeast part of the continent and "discovered" the St. Lawrence river and explored the region in hree voyages. -
Oct 4, 1539
Hernando de Soto
Hernando de Soto explored the southeast region of North America for Spain, searching for gold, and was searching for a suitable colony, and a route from Mexico to the Atlantic. -
Jan 12, 1543
Jaques and Jean
Voyages of Jacques Cartier and Jean-François de La Roque de Roberval to Canada. -
May 11, 1543
Hernando voyage
Hernando de Soto along with 600 men, 200 horses, 300 pigs, and a pack of attack dogs, started in florida and attacked every Indian village they went past. -
May 15, 1565
St. Augustine Founded
The first Spanish settlement is founded in what is now Florida -
Samuel De Champlain
Samuel De Champlain was the quintessential explorer, he was credited as the founder of Quebec, even though he spent little time there, and left the small fortified post to others. -
Montreal
Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, founded Ville-Marie which is now known as Montreal -
Newfoundland Colony
Founding of colony of Plaisance at Newfoundland. -
Jacques and Louis
Jacques and Louis reach the Arkansas River and decide to head back because they fear they will be captured by the nea rby Spainards. -
Jacques Marquette & Louis Joliet
Jacques and Marquette were sent to explore the Mississsippi and answer 2 questions: Was the Mississippi the long-sought water passage to the Pacific? Were the fabled kingdoms of Quiviara and Thequaio real? the first answer was "no: and they were never able to find out the second. -
Friendly Indians
Jacques and Louis encounter friendly Illinois Indians, they talk about "monster" fish (catfish) and "wild cattle" (buffalo). -
Fort Frontennac
Founding of Fort Frontenac, which was a French trading post located at the mouth of the Cataraqui River. -
Fort Crèvecoeur
The French establish Fort Crèvecoeur on the eastbank of the Illinois River.