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1492
Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean.
Christopher Columbus was credited for the discovery of Hispaniola which is now divided into current day Dominican Republic and Haiti. -
1513
Balboa "discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama.
The Pacific Ocean was first sighted by Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513 after crossing Isthmus of Panama becoming the first European to have seen this ocean. -
1521
Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan.
The Aztecs did not intend to make enemies but soon realized the Europeans intended on taking control and were not only killed by new weapons but by an invisible ally, disease. -
1539
De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River.
Hernando De Soto was the first to lead an expedition into territory that is now Florida and is also the first European documented to have crossed the Mississippi River. -
First permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia.
Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement established by a trading company known as the Virginia Company who was relied on by England. -
Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts.
Pilgrims of the Mayflower came to the New World in hopes to "purify" the English church and some even to separate completely from the church which resulted in the establishment of the colony. -
English settlers defeat Native Americans in King Philip's War.
King Philip's War was a war between the Natives of the land with English colonists and is also referred to by many different names like "The First Indian War". -
France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana.
French explorers and missionaries that explored the Mississippi River all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico clamed the entire river valley for King Louis XIV naming it Louisiana.
