In 1513, this Spanish explorer was searching for something supernatural, and discovered Florida. Who was he and what was he searching for?

In 1513, Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León led the first known European expedition to the North American mainland, landing on a lush coast he named La Florida. He chose this name because his party arrived during the Easter season, which is known in Spanish as Pascua Florida, or the "Festival of Flowers." According to the popular and enduring legend, Ponce de León was not just seeking new land for Spain, but was also on a quest to find the mythical Fountain of Youth, a spring whose waters were said to restore health and vitality.

While this story is what he is most famous for, many historians now believe it is more legend than fact. Ponce de León's official royal charter for the voyage makes no mention of a restorative fountain; instead, it focuses on the more typical goals of discovering new territories and seeking gold. The narrative connecting him to the Fountain of Youth was largely popularized by rival chroniclers after his death, possibly to make him appear old and foolish.

Regardless of his true motivations, Ponce de León's 1513 expedition marked the beginning of the Spanish colonial period in what is now the continental United States. He claimed the vast new territory for Spain, setting the stage for centuries of European exploration and settlement, even if he never found the mythical spring of everlasting life.