U.S. # 4750-53
2013 46¢ La Florida
Block of 4
Ponce De Leon Claims Florida
On April 3, 1513, Ponce de León landed on the Florida coast and claimed the area for Spain.
A decade earlier, Portuguese sailors are believed to have been the first Europeans to see and map the area that would become the southeastern United States. As early as 1511 ... more
U.S. # 4750-53
2013 46¢ La Florida
Block of 4
Ponce De Leon Claims Florida
On April 3, 1513, Ponce de León landed on the Florida coast and claimed the area for Spain.
A decade earlier, Portuguese sailors are believed to have been the first Europeans to see and map the area that would become the southeastern United States. As early as 1511 rumors concerning undiscovered islands northwest of Hispaniola reached Spain, whose leaders were anxious to be the first to find them. Ponce de León was selected to have the honor, as a reward for his previous successes.
The contract granted León the rights to the discovery of Benimy and the nearby islands for three years. Additionally, he would be made governor for life of any lands he discovered. Though the contract didn’t mention it, many believe part of León’s mission was to search for the mythical Fountain of Youth.
The contract also stipulated that León conduct the expedition at his own expense. So he gathered three ships and 200 or more men and set out from Punta Aguada, Puerto Rico, on March 4, 1513. In late March they sighted an island (possibly in the Bahamas or the Florida mainland) but didn’t land. Then on April 2 they saw land again, believing it to be another island.
The next day, April 3, 1513, León led his ships toward the shore. As their ships drew nearer to the coast, the Spanish crew was treated to a burst of color. The deep blue waters they were navigating were framed by a wave of lush vegetation and brilliantly hued flowering plants.
It’s a matter of debate just where León came ashore. Possible sites include St. Augustine, Ponce de León Inlet, or Melbourne Beach. León stepped ashore, claimed the land for Spain, and named it La Florida, or “Feast of Flowers,” which is a reference to the Easter celebration in Spain. León is often considered to be the first documented European explorer in Florida. Though there is evidence that Spanish raiders may have gone there in secret, and some Native Americans knew some Spanish words, León was the first officially sanctioned to go there. The expedition spent a few hours exploring the area before returning to their ships. They then sailed south to map the coast.
In 1521, León returned to Florida to start a colony, but died from wounds he received in a battle with Indians.
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