Events in 1513

April 2, 1513

Spanish Colonization of Florida

The Spanish colonization of Florida began in 1513 with Juan Ponce de León's discovery, leading to the establishment of St. Augustine in 1565, the first permanent European settlement in North America. This historic endeavor shaped Florida's cultural landscape through missions, fortifications, and lasting Spanish influence.

April 2, 1513

Discovery of Florida

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León discovered Florida on April 2, 1513, marking the first documented European contact with the region. He named it 'La Florida' due to its flowering vegetation and the Easter season.

September 25, 1513

Discovery of the Pacific Ocean

Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to discover the Pacific Ocean, which he named the 'South Sea', after a grueling 25-day expedition across the Isthmus of Panama with 190 Spanish soldiers and 1,000 indigenous porters.