Juan Ponce de Leon (1460-1521)

Let’s tell the story about Juan Ponce de Leon before he became famous for his discovery. He was born in Santervas, Spain, in 1460. Ponce de Leon sailed on Christopher Columbus' second expedition to the Americas in 1493. Ponce de Leon did not return to Spain with Columbus; he stayed in Santo Domingo (now called the Dominican Republic).

He was appointed governor of the Dominican province of Higuey He was appointed governor of the Dominican province of Higuey. He later heard of gold in the neighboring island of Borinquen (now called Puerto Rico) and brutally conquered the island, claiming it for Spain. He was then appointed governor of this island. Due to his extreme brutality to Native Americans, he was removed from office in 1511.

                     Since he was kicked out of office, then Leon set out on another voyage. This time he landed in Cuba. While in Cuba the natives told him of gold and a magical fountain on an island called Bimini that was just north of Cuba. Juan Ponce de Leon left Cuba to find the fountain that he was told could cure people of all illnesses and keep a person young. Spain said he could claim it as a reward for his service and paid for his voyage!

Goal To find GOLD and the legendary fountain of youth.

Exploration Instead of finding Bimini, he landed on the east coast of Florida in St. Augustine and claimed the land for Spain. The Spanish word for flowers is Flora. When he landed in Florida, he named it Florida for all the beautiful flowers he saw.

Ponce de Leon explored the area that later became St Ponce de Leon explored the area that later became St. Augustine, the first Spanish settlement in the New World. It is also the oldest city in America.

Facts Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer. Was searching for the Fountain of youth He established the oldest European settlement in Puerto Rico and discovered the Gulf Stream (a current in the Atlantic Ocean). He thought he had landed on an island. He named it Florida because he saw lots of flowers (florida in Spanish means flowery).

Ponce de Leon did not find the fountain of youth or any gold and left disappointed. After returning home, he set out on another expedition to find Bimini. When he landed in Florida again his crew was met by Native Americans who shot arrows and wounded Ponce de Leon and his men. Ponce de Leon left and died from his injuries in Cuba.

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