Giovanni da Verrazzano

Giovanni da Verrazzano was an Italian explorer known for his voyages along the North American coast in the early 16th century. He is best recognized for his exploration of what is now New York Harbor in 1524, where he became the first European to enter the bay and the Hudson River. His explorations contributed to the mapping and understanding of the eastern coast of North America, paving the way for further European exploration and colonization.