1. Henry Hudson and the Half Moon

2. Henry Hudson was an explorer who lived about 410 years ago. He lived across the ocean in the Netherlands.

3. Here is what the country of the Netherlands looked like long ago.

4. This is a Dutch family from long ago.

5. Henry Hudson sailed on the Half Moon in 1609.

6. The Dutch wanted to trade for silks and spices in far away places. Henry Hudson was trying to find a faster way to get there.

7. He did not find a faster way. Instead he discovered the Hudson River.

8. There were Native Americans who already lived along the river. They were called Mahicans.

9. Henry Hudson sailed up the river to Schodack Island. He met and ate with the Mahicans.

10. Hudson traded for beaver and otter furs with the Mahicans.

11. Hudson sailed back to the Netherlands. The Dutch used the furs to make felt hats.

12. Henry Hudson sailed a little farther up the river (near Albany), but the river became too narrow. Hudson had to turn around and sail back to the Netherlands.