2013 46¢ La Florida
US #4750-53 were issued on the 500th anniversary of León’s landing.

On April 3, 1513, Juan Ponce de León landed on the Florida coast and claimed the area for Spain.

A decade earlier, Portuguese sailors are believed to have been the first Europeans to see and map the area that would become the southeastern United States. As early as 1511, rumors concerning undiscovered islands northwest of Hispaniola reached Spain, whose leaders were anxious to be the first to find them. Ponce de León was selected to have the honor, as a reward for his previous successes.

1982 20¢ Ponce de Leon
US #2024 was issued at the ESPAMER ’82 Philatelic Exhibition in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The contract granted León the rights to the discovery of Benimy and the nearby islands for three years. Additionally, he would be made governor for life of any lands he discovered. Though the contract didn’t mention it, many believe part of León’s mission was to search for the mythical Fountain of Youth.

1982 20¢ Ponce de Leon, imperforate error pair
US #2024a – Imperforate Error Pair

The contract also stipulated that León conduct the expedition at his own expense. So he gathered three ships and 200 or more men and set out from Punta Aguada, Puerto Rico, on March 4, 1513. In late March they sighted an island (possibly in the Bahamas or the Florida mainland) but didn’t land. Then on April 2 they saw land again, believing it to be another island.

1982 20¢ Ponce de Leon Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover
US #2024 – Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover

The next day, April 3, 1513, León led his ships toward the shore. As their ships drew nearer to the coast, the Spanish crew was treated to a burst of color. The deep blue waters they were navigating were framed by a wave of lush vegetation and brilliantly hued flowering plants.

1982 20¢ Ponce de Leon Fleetwood Plate Block First Day Cover
US #2024 – Fleetwood Plate Block First Day Cover

It’s a matter of debate just where León came ashore. Possible sites include St. Augustine, Ponce de León Inlet, or Melbourne Beach. León stepped ashore, claimed the land for Spain, and named it La Florida, or “Feast of Flowers,” which is a reference to the Easter celebration in Spain. León is often considered to be the first documented European explorer in Florida. Though there is evidence that Spanish raiders may have gone there in secret, and some Native Americans knew some Spanish words, León was the first officially sanctioned to go there. The expedition spent a few hours exploring the area before returning to their ships. They then sailed south to map the coast.

2013 46¢ La Florida Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Covers
US #4750-53 – Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Covers

2013 46¢ La Florida Fleetwood First Day Covers with Digital Color Postmarks
US #4750-53 – Fleetwood First Day Covers with Digital Color Postmarks

In 1521, León returned to Florida to start a colony, but died from wounds he received in a battle with Native Americans.

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2 Comments

  1. A whitewash summary of D Leon’ s DeSoto’s and other Spanish conquistadors invasion and destruction of indigenous peoples. See Horowitz, Tony, “A Voyage Long and Strange,” for details.

  2. Maybe this article was intentionally whitewashed so that it would be approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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