1513
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon lands in Florida and makes contact with the Native Americans in the area. This marks one of the first interactions between foreign settlers and Native people.
1521
Ponce de Leon successfully voyages from San Juan to Florida for a second time. However, months after he lands, local Native Americans attack and fatally wound the explorer.
1539
Hernando de Soto, a Spanish explorer, sails to Florida with intentions to conquer the region. With the help of captured Native Americans, de Soto and his team navigated the territory now known as the Southern United States.
1540
Hernando de Soto leads a team of Spaniards in a war against Native tribes in Alabama. Hundreds of Native people are killed as a result of the battle.
