June 29

During his second voyage in 1534, French navigator Jacques Cartier sailed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and landed on Prince Edward Island. He encountered the island’s indigenous Mi’kmaq people and noted its lush forests and sheltered harbors. Cartier mapped the coastline, naming the land Île Saint-Jean and documenting resources for future expeditions. His arrival marked the beginning of France’s interest in the region and set the stage for New France’s expansion. Cartier’s observations on native customs and geography were recorded in his journals, enriching European knowledge. The island would later become a key site in colonial competition between European powers.