The
story of the Spanish in what is now the U.S. really begins in Florida
with *Ponce de León, who looked for the fountain of
youth in 1513. He called the land Florida (flowery) because
it was discovered on Easter (Pascua Florida). He was killed
by the Seminoles in 1521. (The Seminole people never signed a
treaty with either the Spanish or the U.S. to this day. They
still live in or near the Everglades—very independent).
Pánfilo de Narváez, exploring Florida in
1528, shipwrecked off coast of Texas—most died or went to
Cuba (but, more later).
Lucas
Vásquez de Ayllón, took 500
colonists in 1526 to near what is now Washington, D.C. (almost 100
years before the English even paid much attention to New World).
Almost all died, and those who survived returned to Cuba &
Dominican Republic.
*Pedro Menéndez
de Avilés, finally
founded 1st Spanish settlement in what is now U.S. at
St. Augustine, Florida, 1565.