Early North American Explorers An Introduction for the Primary Grades
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Early Explorations in North America Ericsson Columbus DeLeon Vespucci DeSoto Hudson
Leif Erickson Christopher Columbus Norse explorer born in Iceland in 980. First European expedition to the mainland of North America. Left Greenland in 1002 and is believed to have landed in what is now Newfoundland. Born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. Went in search of new sea route to Asia. Discovered “The Americas” in 1492. Click here to learn more Click here to learn more
Ponce DeLeon Amerigo Vespucci Born in Florence, Italy in 1454. First to identify the New World of North and South America as separate from Asia. Named the “New World” America. Born in Spain in 1407. First recorded European expedition to what is now Florida. Discovered the “Fountain of Youth” in Florida. Click here to learn more Click here to learn more
Hernando DeSoto Henry Hudson End Hernando DeSoto Henry Hudson Born in Spain in 1500. Lead the first European expedition to reach the Mississippi River. Landed in Florida and traveled to the Mississippi in search of gold. Born in England in 1570. Hired to find a new sea route to Asia. Discovered the areas now known as Hudson Bay and the Hudson River. Click here to learn more Click here to learn more