Before 1600

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

Read about major events in U.S. History before 1600, including the explorations of Christopher Columbus and Juan Ponce de León.

c. 12,000 B.C.North American Indian cultures flourish.
American Indian
A.D. 1000Norse seaman Leif Ericsson lands in Newfoundland, which he calls Vinland. Viking ship  
1492 Christopher Columbus, financed by Spain, makes the first of four voyages to the New World. He lands in the Bahamas (Oct. 12).
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
1513 Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León lands on the coast of Florida.  
1565 Saint Augustine, Florida, settled by the Spanish, becomes the first permanent European colony in North America.  

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