The 1848 discovery of gold in the territory of California prompted 300,000 hopeful prospectors to flood into the region, altering it forever.

Description of what the discovery of diamonds and the ensuing black market and illegal mining has done to the Amazon Basin of Brazil.

A not-so-nice, yet successful Spanish explorer, Francisco Pizarro is featured in a biography for conquering Peru and working his way up the Pacific coast to discover land in Central America. Check out his route and details of his...

In this lesson plan, learners develop an understanding of the wide variety of traditions and cultural practices in the United States and North America.

We all know about the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria, but what about the rest of Columbus' ships? He was a busy man after the initial discovery. This site is by a group of archaeologists who try to find historic underwater wrecks....

America's Story features fun facts about Minnesota, such as how Minnesota's nickname and interesting places such as Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the world and important cultural happenings like the Spam Festival.

This website focuses on exploration and offers links to Ancient Exploration, Medieval Exploration, The "Age of Discovery" and Modern Exploration. It also provides pictured links to four explorers: currently they are Christopher Columbus,...

The Library of Congress provides a discussion of the importance of Portugal in the "European Age of Discovery and Exploration." Includes links to related pages within this same Library of Congress site.

Help your ESL students understand the role of Columbus in the history of America. Take the opportunity to teach map skill. This lesson plans include the TESOL standards and many downloads.

Gain an understanding of the settlement of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

This resource describes the political events that preceded the Spanish to support efforts by Christopher Columbus to head west across the Atlantic.

Learn why Utah is known as a prime location for the discovery of dinosaur fossils and why, in 1988 the Allosaurus was named Utah's official state fossil.

Six poems written by navigators and included by George Peckham, and Richard Hakluyt's argument to promote British settlement in North America. Both documents were directed to Queen Elizabeth I in an effort to promote British involvement...

This site traces the early voyages of explorers from Portugal and Spain who were trying to find new resources.

The roots of globalization began in the 15th century as modern empires began to thrive through trade. Asia was at its strongest during this time period, while Europe lagged behind until the discovery of America and an ocean route to Asia...

This survey of early dinosaur discoveries in North America discusses the first dinosaur specimens and the scientific debate that they inspired.

Presents key ideas for examining how Christopher Columbus is remembered in America and how his legacy has been re-interpreted at various times in history.

Covers information about the life of Leif Ericson and his involvement in the exploration and the discovery of the New World leading to the colonization of America.

A fascinating excerpt of Richard Hakluyt's Discourse of Western Planting written in Old English, and dealing with English colonization. Also includes a short biography of the noted English geographer.

This lesson focuses on the historical background of Thomas Jefferson including his writings and his political career. It also provides a link to "Declaration of Independence" and the "Discovery Education Video: Thomas Jefferson."...

This website contains a wealth of information concerning the life of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the National Monument that was built in his memory, and his discovery of California.

Detailed third grade lessons help students understand what skills and knowledge were required in order to become an explorer. Includes specific lessons on John Cabot, Jacques Cartier, and Henry Hudson.

Archived exhibition reveals how European writers and mapmakers thought about America during the Age of Discovery. Describes the allegorical images Europeans sometimes used to portray America and features the Gutierrez map, drawn in 1562,...

In this project from DiscoverySchool.com, young scholars will identify men and women who are leaders in their community and in the world at large. From this more concrete experience, they will travel back to early America and learn on a...