1440-60 The Portuguese explore coast of Africa
1492 Moors defeated in Spain; Columbus lands in New World
1497 Vasco da Gama sails to India by way of Africa
1513 Ponce de León claims Florida for Spain
1519-21 Magellan’s fleet sails around the world
1521 Cortés conquers the Aztecs
1528 Narváez attempts a colony in Florida
1529-36 The wanderings of Cabeza de Vaca
1532 Pizarro overthrows the Incas of Peru
1539-43 De Soto expedition
1540-42 Coronado expedition
1542-43 Cabrillo’s voyage
1562 French Huguenots settle in Florida
1565 Menendez establishes St. Augustine
1584 Ralegh plants colony on North Carolina coast
1598 Oñate expedition into Southwest
1607 English settle at Jamestown
1620 Pilgrims settle at Plymouth