Juan+Ponce+de+Leon

Ponce de Leon by Leolani

You’ve probably never heard of Juan Ponce de Leon. He was an amazing explorer in the 1400’s. On July 15, 1474, in Satervas de Campos, Juan Ponce de Leon was born. When he was a boy, he got a job as a messenger for the royal court. As he increased in age he served in military mission’s against the Muslims until he was driven out of Spain in 1492. He sailed with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new world (North America) in 1493. After sailing with Christopher Columbus, he did not return to Spain. In 1502 Juan married an inn keepers daughter named Leonor Ponce de Leon. His wife had three girls and one boy. Their names were Luis, Isabella, Juana, Maria. He was then appointed governor of the Dominican Province of Huguey. He was removed from governor in 1511. In 1513 Spain gave Juan Ponce De Leon the honor of sailing to find Bimini. Rumor was that Bimini held the fountain of youth. If you drank from the fountain it would restore your youth. He then sailed on March 3rd 1513 with three ships: The Santa Maria, The Santiago and The San Cristobal and at least two hundred men. Ponce de Leon then landed on the east coast of Florida. On April 2nd, 1513 on Palm Sunday he claimed this new land for Spain. He then set sail once again on April 8th, heading south in the warm current. A fight broke out between the men and the Native Americans in Southern Florida. They sailed to Cuba, then north, again trying to get to Bimini. While returning to Puerto Rico, Leon resumed fighting with the Native Americans. He then returned to Spain on September 27th 1514. He was appointed Captain General by the King of Spain. He later returned to Puerto Rico to Search for Bimini. His last voyage was once again looking for Bimini in 1521. When they landed on the west coast of Florida they were met by a band of angry Native Americans. He was shot in the thigh with a poisoned arrow. He sailed back to Cuba where he died. He was eventually then shipped back to Spain so he could be buried. Thanks to Juan Ponce de Leon, hundreds of people can now live in Florida, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and the Dominican republic. Unfortunately there still is no fountain of youth. 