 From the late 15th Century, European explorers like John Cabot, João Fernandes Lavrador, Gaspar Corte-Real, Jacques Cartier and others began exploration.John Cabot (1450–1499), commissioned by King Henry VII of England, landed on the North East coast of North America in 1497.The exact location of his landing is unknown but the 500th anniversary of his landing was commemorated in Bonavista.