Juan Ponce de León

Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish conquistador. He is known as the first European known to have visited Florida. In this exploration, he was searching for the "Fountain of Youth."

1508 Juan Ponce de León founded Caparra (later became San Juan), the first settlement in Puerto Rico

On March 27, 1513, Ponce de León sighted North America (specifically Florida) for the first time, mistaking it for another island. Later, on April 2, he landed somewhere on the east coast of the newly discovered land and claims it for Spain.

Ponce de Leon and his party were attacked by a tribe of Native Americans, and he was greatly injured. After this attack, he returned to Havana, Cuba, where he died.

See also:

• Discoverer of the Americas

Referenced By