Ponce de Leon

Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer and conquistador known for leading the first official European expedition to Florida and the first governor of Puerto Rico. He was born in Santervás de Campos, Spain, in 1474. Though little is known about his family, he was of noble birth and served in the Spanish military from a young age. In 1493, de Leon sailed with Christopher Columbus on Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. In 1513, he embarked on his own expedition seeking for the legendary Fountain of Youth, a supposed spring that restores the youth of anyone who drinks its waters. Instead of finding this mythical site, he discovered and named the land "Pascua Florida" because his arrival occurred during the Easter season. Although he did not find the Fountain of Youth, his voyage led to Spain's later claim of Florida. Ponce de Leon died in 1521 from an arrow wound sustained during a fight with Native Americans in Florida.