Events with tag - European Exploration

June 24, 1497

John Cabot Discovers North America

Italian-born explorer John Cabot became the first European since the Vikings to reach mainland North America in 1497, sailing under English sponsorship. His landing at Newfoundland established England's first territorial claims in the New World and laid the foundation for British colonial expansion.

September 7, 1535

Discovery of St. Lawrence River

French explorer Jacques Cartier becomes the first European to navigate the St. Lawrence River, establishing a crucial waterway that would shape North American colonial development and connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

May 8, 1541

Discovery of the Mississippi River

Hernando de Soto became the first European to officially document the discovery of the Mississippi River, leading to a series of explorations that established crucial trade routes and shaped North American development.

May 8, 1541

De Soto Discovers Mississippi River

Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto became the first documented European to discover the Mississippi River near present-day Memphis, Tennessee. The expedition spent 30 days crossing the mile-wide river with 400 men and 200 horses, marking a pivotal moment in North American exploration.