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Christopher Columbus lands on an island in the Caribbean Sea that he named San Salvador.
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At the same time that the Spanish were exploring the southwestern part of the country, others were exploring the North. John Cabot, an Italian sailor was employed by the English to explore the "new world." In 1492 he discovered Newfoundland in Canada.
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Ponce de Leon, the governor of Puerto Rico discovers Pascua Florida in 1513 while on his expedition for the city of gold. It is now known as modern day St. Augenstine, Florida. A few years later he returns looking for the fountain of youth and is killed by the Indians protecting their land.
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Hernando de Soto arrives in Florida in 1539 with 1000 men and 350 horses searching for gold. He traveled north inland through the Appalachians and headed west. He made it to the Mississippi River before he fell ill with a fever and died.
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Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the governor of many Spanish territories in Mexico sets off on an expedition searching for the cities of gold. He does not find the cities of gold but does discover the Grand Canyon!
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Coronado and his soldiers march into Kansas and give up the search for the cities of gold. They began to teach the Native Americans about Christianity, built schools and churches called missions.
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A spaniard by the name of Pedro Menendez de Aviles visits the same area that Ponce de Leon visited. He meets with the Indians and names the area St. Augustine after his Christian religion.
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Henry Hudson was an Englishman that attempted to discover a short cut from Europe to Asia through modern day New York. He attempted this exploration in 1607, 1608, 1609, & 1610. HIs crew rebelled against him after the final attempt and he was never heard from again.
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A frenchman named Samuel de Champlain set off looking for furs. He explored Canada and in 1608 built a fur trading post in Quebec. He is called the "Father of New France", because of his early influence of French Canada.
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Spanish Colonial Culture The Spanish build a frot to defend themselves against soldiers coming from other European countries. St. Augustine was the first permanent settlement in the New World.
