U.S. History Timeline: Pre-Colonial - Before 1600

Updated September 13, 2021 | Infoplease Staff

Timeline: PRE-COLONIAL - Before 1600

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

12,000
B.C.

A.D.
1000

  • Norse seaman Leif Ericsson lands in Newfoundland, which he calls Vinland.
    Viking ship

1492

October 12

  • Christopher Columbus, financed by Spain, makes the first of four voyages to the New World. He lands in the Bahamas.Christopher Columbus
    Christopher Columbus

1513

1565

  • Saint Augustine, Florida, settled by the Spanish, becomes the first permanent European colony in North America.
    Saint Augustine Fort
U.S. History Timeline
Sources +