L'Anse aux Meadows Norse Settlement (archaeological site on the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland) From the

e French L'Anse-aux-Mduses or "Jellyfish Cove

Spanish Empire
Only explores Central and South America 1492: Christopher Columbus discovers North America, landing in Bahamas archipelago in Central America. Columbus founds Hispaniola, first European colony Gold and Land

British Empire
1497: John Cabot reaches North America, in what is now Canada, and makes claims for England in the New World Discovery of Cod fish, bringing fishers from Portugal, France and Britain.

Spanish Empire
1513- Ponce de Len searches for fountain of youth. Claims Florida for Spain. 1520s- Hernn Corts conquers the Aztecs. 1565- Spanish settlers found St. Augustine, first permanent European settlement on mainland North America

French Empire
1524- Giovanni Verrazano lands in present-day New York harbour 1534- Jacques Cartier is the first to reach Canada for France. Began fur trade in Canada

British Empire
1585-Virginia (named for Queen Elizabeth), first settlement attempted by Sir Walter Raleighfailed 1587-Virginia, second settlement attempted by Raleigh at Roanoke Mystery disappearance

 1600: Trading post attempted at Tadoussac. 5/16 settlers survived and returned to France. 1604-1607: Settlement is attempted at Fort-Royal abandoned 1608-1609:Samuel de Champlain founds Habitation of Quebec, first established European settlement for France.

1631: Colonies of Nova Scotia, attempted by Scotland, claimed by France. 1634: Founding of TroisRivires, second permanent settlement in New France 1642: City of Montreal founded 1682: Land known as Louisiana claimed for France 1689-1697: War between France and England

 1607- English (Cpt. John Smith) land in Virginia to found Jamestown, 1st permanent English settlement. 1620: Puritan Pilgrims sail for North America on the Mayflower and settle in Plymouth (Mayflower Compact) 1621: First Thanksgiving 1632: Colonists begin Boston (combined in 1692 with Plymouth to become Massachusets)

1635: Roger Williams separates and creates Rhode Island (Separation of church and state) 1664: English capture New Amsterdam and call it New York 1670: English colonists found North and South Carolina 1681: William Penn (Quaker) founds Pennsylvaniareligious freedom and tolerance (Images below: Pilgrims, Plymouth Plantation and the Mayflower)

The 13 original colonies were: Virginia, founded in 1607 by the London Company and became a royal colony in 1624 Massachusetts, founded in 1620 by the Puritans and became a royal colony in 1691 New Hampshire, founded in 1623 by John Wheelwright and became a royal colony in 1679 Maryland, founded in 1634 by Lord Baltimore Connecticut, founded in 1635 by Thomas Hooker Rhode Island, founded in 1636 by Roger Williams Delaware, founded in 1638 by Peter Minuit and New Sweden Company North Carolina, founded in 1653 by Virginians and became a royal colony in 1729 South Carolina, founded in 1663 by eight nobles with a Royal Charter from Charles II and became a royal colony in 1729 New Jersey, founded in 1664 by Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret and became a royal colony in 1702 New York, founded in 1664 by the Duke of York and became a royal colony in 1685 Pennsylvania, founded in 1682 by William Penn Georgia, founded in 1732 by James Edward Oglethorpe and became a royal colony in 1752