Facts about Juan Ponce de Leon |
| Ponce de Leon Fact 1 | Why was Juan Ponce de Leon famous and what part of America did he explore? Ponce de Leon was famous for sailing around the southern end of Florida and back to the West Indies in 1513. In 1521 he visited Florida again but was wounded by a Native Indian arrow, and returned home to die.
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 2 | When was Juan Ponce de Leon born? He was born c.1460
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 3 | What was his country of origin and where was Ponce de Leon born? He was born in Santervas, Spain
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 4 | Ponce de Leon was born to a wealthy noble Spanish family and was well educated. He served as a page at the Spanish court
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 5 | Ponce de Leon undertook voyages as a Privateer, attacking ships belonging to the Moors
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 6 | 25 September 25, 1493: He joined the fleet on the Second voyage of Christopher Columbus. They departed from Cadiz, with 16 ships and 1500 men and travel to Hispaniola (Jamaica) and Haiti
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 7 | In 1508 he founded the first settlement in Puerto Rico
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 8 | February 23, 1512: King Charles V grants Juan Ponce de Leon a patent authorizing him to explore the Bahamas. He was given the title of Adelantado and had total jurisdiction.
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 9 | March 3, 1513: Ponce sets out from Puerto Rico with three ships, fitted out at his own expense
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 10 | 27 March 27, 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon comes within sight of the coast of Florida
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 11 | April 2, 1513: Juan Ponce de Leon took possession of Florida whichhe named "Pascua de Florida" (Feast of Flowers) because they first spotted land on Palm Sunday
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 12 | Juan Ponce de Leon thought that Florida was just an island
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 13 | He obtained a second grant to settle the Island of Bimini and the 'Island' of Florida
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 14 | In 1521 he set sail with 2 ships ready to colonise Florida.
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 15 | Whilst building houses in the new colony on Pine Island Ponce de Leon and his party were attacked by a tribe of the Calusa Indians
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 16 | Juan Ponce de Leon was injured by a poisoned arrow
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 17 | He returned to Havana, Cuba, where he died of his wounds in 1521
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| Ponce de Leon Fact 18 | His tomb is in the cathedral in Old San Juan
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Facts about Ponce de Leon for Kids |
