Juan Ponce de León, born in 1460 in Valladolid, Leon Spain, and died in 1521 in Havana, Cuba.  Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer. In 1508–09 he explored and settled Puerto Rico, founding the colony’s oldest settlement, Caparra, near what is now San Juan.  In April 1513 he landed on the coast of Florida at a site between Saint Augustine and Melbourne Beach. He named the region Florida because it was discovered at Easter time (Spanish: Pascua Florida). (1513).

Born into a noble family, Ponce de León was a page in the royal court of Aragon and later fought in a campaign against the Moors in Granada. It is possible that he began his career of exploration in 1493 as part of Christopher Columbus’s second expedition to the New World

Ponce de León is most famously credited with his search for the Fountain of Youth. According to legends, he believed that a mythical spring existed in the newly discovered lands, capable of restoring youth and vitality. In 1513, Ponce de León set out on an expedition to find this legendary fountain, which led him to land on the eastern coast of Florida, becoming the first European to explore the region. However, historical evidence suggests that his quest for the Fountain of Youth was more of a myth than a genuine motivation for his explorations, as hearing persistent reports of gold to be found on Puerto Rico is believed to be his main interest.

Ponce de León’s voyages and explorations played a significant role in expanding Spanish influence in the New World. His expeditions to Florida helped establish Spanish claims in the region, setting the stage for future colonization and European settlement. Ponce de León’s legacy is intertwined with the broader narrative of Spanish exploration and conquest in the Americas, contributing to the historical and cultural tapestry of the region.

In 1521 Ponce de León sailed again for Florida with two ships and 200 men and landed near Charlotte Harbor. On this occasion he was wounded by an arrow during an Indian attack, and he died after being returned to Cuba.