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The 16th century in North American history refers to the period in North America from 1501 through 1600 in the Gregorian calendar.

Events

• First European explorers arrive and begin colonizing North America.

Early 1500s

• Europeans first reach North America and encounter Native Americans.

• 1524: Giovanni da Verrazzano, working for France, explores coastline from present-day North Carolina to Maine

Mid 1500s

1540: Francisco Vásquez de Coronado attacked the original seven Zuñi villages, seeking the vast stores of gold associated with the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola.

Late 1500s

• 1564-65: Rene de Laudonniere heads French colony on St. Johns River in Florida until expelled by Spanish. French artist Jacques le Moyne paints first known European depiction of Indians.

• 1576: Martin Frobisher of England makes the first of three attempts to find a Northwest Passage, sailing as far as Hudson Strait. What he thought was gold discovered on his journey was later proven worthless.

• 1579: British Navigator Sir Francis Drake (c.1540-96) on a voyage around the world in the Golden Hind, claims California for Queen Elizabeth I.

• c. 1575: Martin Frobisher continues the fruitless search for a passage to Asia

• 1576-78: Martin Frobisher, seeking a Northwest Passage to the Pacific, encounters various Eskimo groups.

• 1583: Sir Humphrey Gilbert, brother-in-law of Sir Walter Raleigh, claims Newfoundland as England's first overseas colony.

• 1585: Sir Walter Raleigh founds colony on Roanoke Island in what will become Virginia.

• 1588: English fishing fleet delays sailing to Newfoundland to participate in the defeat of Spanish Armada.

• 1598: The Marquis de la Roche lands 40 convicts on Sable Island.

• 1599: Samuel de Champlain, French explorer, arrives, followed by Catholic missionaries.

Significant people

Facundo Soraire

Inventions, discoveries, introductions