JUAN PONCE DE LEON By Gunner Myers

JUAN PONCE DE LEON TRAVELED WITH CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS TO THE CARIBBEAN IN 1493 AS A YOUNG SOLIDER OF SPAIN.

FROM THE CARIBBEAN HE EXPLORED AN ISLAND CALLED BORINQUEN [OR PORTO RICO] IN 1506 HOPING TO DISCOVER GOLD !

SOON AFTER PONCE DE LEON HEARD OF “THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.” SO IN 1513 HE SET SAIL TO FIND IT.

A MONTH LATTER HE SET FOOT ON SHORE AND NAMED THE [WHAT HE THOUGHT] ISLAND PACUA OR FLORIDA. BUT HE COULD NOT FIND “THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.”

DEFEATED, PONCE DE LEON RETURNED TO PORTO RICO. BUT IN 1521 HE SAILED BACK TO FLORIDA TO START A SETTLEMENT.

HE AND HIS SETTLEMENT WERE THEN ATTACKED BY AN UNWELCOMING INDIAN TRIBE. IN THE BATTLE PONCE DE LEON WAS SHOT WITH AN ARROW AND, SOON DIED IN CUBA!

BIBLIOGRAPHY SOCIAL STUDIES ALIVE! PALO ALTO CA: TEACHERS’ CURRICULUM INSTITUTE,