This document provides an overview of explorers and events from the 15th-17th centuries including: - Christopher Columbus' voyages to the Americas in search of a trade route and his interactions with native peoples. - John Cabot's voyage for Britain to find a trade route and being the first to reach the North American mainland. - Juan Ponce de Leon exploring Florida and establishing St. Augustine. - Conquistadors like Hernan Cortes taking over the Aztec empire and Francisco Coronado searching for gold in North America. - Samuel de Champlain exploring Canada and the Mississippi River and developing relationships with native tribes. - After these explorers, the territories controlled by Spain, France