John Cabot, originally Giovanni Caboto, made landfall in Newfoundland while on a voyage commissioned by King Henry VII of England. After setting sail from Bristol in May 1497, Cabot's expedition aimed to discover a westward route to Asia. On June 24, 1497, he reached the shores of what is now known as North America, possibly landing at places such as Cape Bonavista or St. John's. This area was remarkable for its plentiful fishing resources, which Cabot and his crew promptly took advantage of. This moment marked a significant point in European exploration, as it was not only a rediscovery of territories populated by Indigenous peoples but also paved the way for future international claims in the region.

Cabot’s encounter with the new land was primarily motivated by commerce; the English crown was looking to expand trade in spices, silk, and other valuable commodities from Asia. Thus, Cabot's journey was not merely exploratory but also representational of the burgeoning global trade networks that would define later centuries. Upon returning to England, Cabot reported his findings to King Henry VII, resulting in increased interest from the English crown in North America, essentially laying the groundwork for future expeditions and eventual colonization.

The significance of Cabot's adventure transcends the immediate discovery; it established a British claim to North American territories that would eventually lead to the establishment of English colonies and influence the geopolitical landscape of the New World. Cabot's pioneering journey is often recognized as one of the first meaningful contacts between the future United States and European explorers, shaping subsequent interactions and conflicts between Indigenous populations and European settlers.