Grand Canyon: The Fascinating History of the Grand Canyon for Kids

By Dr. History

Get enchanted with Grand Canyon history and its remarkable events.

Are you struggling to make sense of what happened at that specific point in history? Do you want to learn all of the historical stories in an easier manner? Pick up this overview history book today to learn the inspiring history behind

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. History
• Release date: May 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869371317

Book preview

Chapter One: The Spanish Men and Their Many Explorers

A scenic photograph of the Grand Canyon. The photo was taken near Mojave point on the west rim drive.

The Grand Canyon is a massive land space in the Colorado Plateau. Today, it is a famous tourist spot that many put on their bucket lists of travel destinations. It is so famous that many companies have earned millions just for providing transportation services, tour guides, and hiking guides to the Grand Canyon. But like many things, as famous as it is, many are unaware of the origin and history of one of the world’s greatest mysteries.

Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was a Spanish explorer in the 16th century. He was originally a Spanish Conquistador and was assigned to govern Nueva Galicia, a New Spain province in Mexico. He had tasked a friar with going on an expedition to explore the rest of New Mexico in 1539. Upon his return, he claimed to have found a city called Cíbola that, from afar, seemed like a city with vast wealth.

Francisco Vázquez de Coronado decided that there would be an expedition to find the city. In February of 1540, Vázquez de Coronado led an expedition of four hundred men to find the city of Cíbola. He led his troops north by following the Sinaloan coast. He traveled until he reached what is now known today as the Arizona-New Mexico state line. He then started to follow the flow of the Little Colorado River until he reached the Zuni River and attempted to enter the Zuni territory. The Zunis refused to allow them into their lands, and a fight ensued. Vázquez de Coronado and his men fought in what historians consider the Spanish Conquest of Cíbola and came out victorious. However, Vázquez de Coronado himself had become injured and could not continue to travel further.

While Vázquez allowed his injuries to heal, he had decided it would be best to stay in the Zuni lands to recuperate and send out explorers to keep scouting through the land. The three explorers he sent out to lead their expeditions were Hernando de Alarcón, Melchior Diaz, and Garcia López de Cárdenas. The three went their separate ways, agreeing to circle back and rendezvous at the Colorado River after making their new