![Picture](/uploads/2/5/2/4/25249320/51326.jpg?197)
John Cabot(1450-1499) was an Italian explorer who sailed for England. His original name was Giovanni Caboto, which is what he was called in Italy. He moved to England in 1495 and began sailing on behalf on England. At the request of King Henry VII, Cabot sailed to Canada in 1497. He was commanding his ship "The Matthew". Cabot arrived near present day Labrador, Newfoundland, or Cape Breton Island on June 24. Cabot and his son, who came with him, claimed the land for England. He continued to explorer the Canadian coastline and began naming many of the islands and capes on his journey. The goal of his journey was to find a northwest passage across North America to Asia, he was unsuccessful. He thought he had reached northeast Asia when he hadn't.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/2/4/25249320/416281.gif)