, Louisiana, USA
1682 - Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claims vast Louisiana region for France

In 1682, French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, embarked on an expedition that would lead to the claiming of a vast region in North America for France. Setting out from the Great Lakes region, La Salle and his team journeyed down the Mississippi River, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Upon reaching the mouth of the river on April 9, 1682, La Salle ceremoniously planted a cross and a column bearing the arms of France, claiming the entire Mississippi River valley and its tributaries, along with the surrounding lands, in the name of King Louis XIV. This claim encompassed a vast territory that would later become known as Louisiana, named in honor of the French king.

La Salle's claim of the Louisiana region was a significant event in the history of North America, as it laid the foundation for France's colonial ambitions in the region. The French presence in Louisiana would eventually lead to the establishment of settlements and trading posts, shaping the cultural and political landscape of the area. The claim also set the stage for future conflicts between European powers vying for control of North American territories, particularly between France and Britain, as well as Spain, which also had interests in the region.

The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996

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