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Major Events
First humans cross into Americas from Asia
approx. 33,000-8000 BC
Corn (Maize) is developed as a staple crop in highland Mexico
approx. 5000 BC
First civilized societies develop in the Middle East
approx. 4000 BC
Corn planting reaches present day American Southwest
approx. 1200 BC
Norse voyagers discover and briefly settle in northeastern North America.
1000 AD
Corn cultivation reaches Midwest and southeastern Atlantic seaboard.
1000 AD
Height of Mississippian settlement at Cahokia.
1100 AD
Christian crusades arouse European interest in the East.
1100 - 1300 AD
Marco Polo returns to Europe.
1295
Spain becomes united.
Late 1400s
Diaz rounds southern tip of Africa.
1488
Columbus lands in the Bahamas.
1492
Treaty of Tordesillas between Spain and Portugal.
1494
Da Gama reaches India.
1498
Cabot explores northeastern coast of North America for England.
1498
Balboa claims all lands touched by the Pacific Ocean for Spain.
1513
Ponce de Leon explores Florida.
1513, 1521
Cortes conquers Mexico for Spain.
1519-1521
Magellan's vessel completes circumnavigation of the world.
1522
Verrazano explores eastern seaboard of North America for France.
1524
Pizarro crushes Incas.
1532
Cartier journeys up the St. Lawrence River.
1534
De Soto explores the Southeast and discovers the Mississippi River.
1539-1542
Coronado explores present-day Southwest.
1540-1542
Cabrillo explores California coast for Spain.
1542
Spanish build fortress at St. Augustine.
1565
Iroquois Confederacy founded, according to Iroquois legend.
Late 1500s
Spanish under Onate conquer pueblo peoples of Rio Grande valley.
1598-1609
Spanish found New Mexico.
1609
Popé's Rebellion in New Mexico.
1680
French exploration down Mississippi River under La Salle.
1680s
Serra founds first California mission, at San Diego.
1769