Who was the first explorer to explore the American coast?

The first European explorer generally credited with reaching the American coast is Norse explorer Leif Erikson, who is believed to have landed in what is now Newfoundland, Canada, around the year 1000 AD. However, John Cabot, an Italian explorer sailing under the English flag, is often recognized for his 1497 voyage, which marked the first documented European exploration of the North American mainland. Both figures played significant roles in the early exploration of North America.