Ponce de Leon

Discovery It is thought that Ponce de León first landed on the site where Cockburn Town is, on Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Soon settled in Hispaniola. He helped conquer the Tainos of the eastern part of Hispaniola and was rewarded with the governorship of the Province of Higuey that was created there. While there, he heard stories of the wealth of Borinquen (now Puerto Rico), and he sought and received permission to go there.

Hispaniola Haiti occupies the western third of the island; the eastern two-thirds are the Dominican Republic.

Taino Founded the first settlement in Puerto Rico, Caparra. Greeted with open arms by the Taino Cacique Agüeybaná Gained control of the island. Named Governor of Puerto Rico in 1509 Forced the Tainos to work in the mines and to construct fortifications Tainos died in great numbers after exposure to the European diseases the sailors brought with them, to which they had no immunity

Spanish Conquistador Accompanied Columbus on his 2 nd voyage Governor of Puerto Rico Married a Spanish Woman named Leonore Had 2 daughters and 1 son

Diego Columbus In 1506, upon the death of Christopher Columbus, who had been appointed lifetime military governor of his discoveries, the Spanish authorities refused to grant the same privilege to his son Diego Columbus. The Spanish Crown by then had selected Ponce de León to colonize and govern the island of Puerto Rico. In the meantime Diego Columbus had taken his claim to the top court in Madrid and won his rights Ponce de León was removed from office in Feeling that his good name had been damaged and not wishing to serve Diego, Ponce de León obtained title to explore the areas north of Cuba.[2]

Florida Ponce de León claimed "La Florida" for Spain. He named the land La Florida, meaning flowery, either because of the vegetation in bloom he saw there, or because he landed there during Pascua Florida, Spanish for Flowery Passover, meaning the Easter season. Pascua Florida Day, April 2, is a legal holiday in Florida. Discovered Florida while searching for the “Fountain of Youth”

Death Attacked by Calusas Injured with a poisoned arrow to the shoulder