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Jacques Cartier Timeline


Timeline Description: Jacques Cartier was a French explorer. He discovered the place that would become Canada. This is a timeline of his journey.

DateEvent TitleEvent Description
1491Jacques Cartier was bornJacques was born in a territory named Brittany. He grew up and learned to be a mariner, or a seaman.
1497John Cabot tried to find the OrientThe King of France sent the explorer, John Cabot, to find a sailing route to the Orient. John Cabot failed.
1520Jacques got marriedJacques married a woman from a rich family. It earned him a more respectable place in society where he would later get to meet the king of France.
1520Jacques sailed on many voyages(Late 1520's )Jacques began his travels with trips to Newfoundland. This proved he was a good sailor.
April 1534Jacques met the king of FranceJacques met King Francis I. The king hired Jacques to sail west and find a better travel route to Asia, since John Cabot hadn't done it before.
July 1534Jacques claimed the land for FranceAfter exploring along the coast line, Jacques built a cross in the ground. The cross said "Long live the king of France".
October 1534Jacques returned homeJacques returned to France with the promise of returning to the new land so he could bring more supplies. He thought he had reached Asia on his trip, but it was really the land that he would name Canada.
1535Jacques made a second voyageJacques returned to the land he had found. When he realized he hadn't found Asia, he was still sure he was on the right track and he named the village La Chine, which is French for China.
1536Cartier returned to France againWhen Jacques returned to France he told the people about the new land he had found. He said it was full of gold and rubies.
1541A new voyage beganSeveral years later Jacques returned to Canada for the king of France, only this time the king didn't want Jacques to find a passage to Asia. He wanted Jacques to find the great riches Jacques had told him about.
1542Jacques returned from his last journeyJacques came home with ships full of treasure. Jacques and his men thought they had found diamonds and gold, but it turned out to be quartz crystals and metals.
1557Jacques Cartier diedJacques died in his home in France. He hadn't found the passageway to Asia or any great treasures, but he had discovered Canada. His adventures paved the way for further French discoveries in the Americas.
1934A bridge named in his honorThe Jacques Cartier Bridge was named in 1934 to celebrate 400 years since Cartier's first voyage.
1981The Jacques-Cartier National ParkThe Park was used for centuries by travelers, lumberjacks, and more. In 1981 it officially became a national park.
2006Cartier's colony was re-discoveredArchaeologists in Canada recently discovered the remains of an old colony. They believe it was the first village that Cartier established.