1497 - Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot, 1450–98), a Venetian in English service, during a voyage underwritten by
Bristol merchants, claims
Newfoundland for England on June 24, laying the basis for English claims to Canada and inspiring a series of further explorations.
1498 - English explorer John Cabot, making a second voyage to North America (looking for
Northwest Passage to India), travels the coast of Labrador,
New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia and trades furs with
Micmacs.