Juan Ponce de Leon By Anya Poggenklass

Juan Ponce de Leon was a soldier from Spain Juan Ponce de Leon was a soldier from Spain. He journeyed to the Americas to find the Fountain of Youth.

He first sailed with Columbus on his second voyage in 1493 He first sailed with Columbus on his second voyage in 1493.He led his own expedition in 1506.

He discovered present-day Puerto Rico and Florida.

Ponce de leon heard of a magical fountain that sprouted waters that made you young again(fountain of youth). So he set sail to the island.

When he made it to the island ,he named it Florida, after the catholic feast day called Easter of Flowers or Pascua Florida in Spanish. He never realized he discovered a new continent.

When he returned to Florida in 1521,he started a settlement with 200 men along with horses, cattle and seeds to plant.

The American Indians were not happy with them for invading territory so they attacked. Ponce de Leon was struck by an arrow and while wounded, sailed to Cuba and died. His Expodtions ended in 1521.

Bibliography: Social Studies Alive Bibliography: Social Studies Alive! Palo Alto, CA: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute 2010. 61