Ponce de Leon 500 Years Later
Apr 7, 2013 14:35:15 GMT
Post by htmb on Apr 7, 2013 14:35:15 GMT
This month, the State of Florida is recognizing the 500 hundredth anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon's arrival in 1513. A scholars event was held yesterday at the Florida Museum of Natural History. While I did not attend, there is a very good article in the Gainesville Sun with details. One of the panelists for the event was Dr. Michael Gannon, my favorite college history professor who is an expert on Florida history and a scholarly writer, having published many books on the subject.
Most people believe Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the peninsula he named La Florida.But the truth is murkier, as scholars told the audience Saturday at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Five scholars gave presentations at “Celebrating La Florida: Spanish Explorers at the Edge of the World,” a free event sponsored by the University Press of Florida.
This month marks the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s arrival in Florida in 1513. Much about that time remains uncertain, and questionable myths about Ponce de Leon persist.
Was he the first to discover Florida?
“Well, yes and no,” said William Marquardt, the curator of South Florida archaeology and ethnography at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Ponce de Leon was the first to chronicle his arrival, but many people, including the Native Americans, were here before his boat reached its shores.
Marquardt pointed out that Ponce de Leon reportedly met a Native American who spoke Spanish, suggesting other European explorers preceded him.www.gainesville.com/article/20130406/ARTICLES/130409690?tc=cr
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Most people believe Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the peninsula he named La Florida.But the truth is murkier, as scholars told the audience Saturday at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Five scholars gave presentations at “Celebrating La Florida: Spanish Explorers at the Edge of the World,” a free event sponsored by the University Press of Florida.
This month marks the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s arrival in Florida in 1513. Much about that time remains uncertain, and questionable myths about Ponce de Leon persist.
Was he the first to discover Florida?
“Well, yes and no,” said William Marquardt, the curator of South Florida archaeology and ethnography at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Ponce de Leon was the first to chronicle his arrival, but many people, including the Native Americans, were here before his boat reached its shores.
Marquardt pointed out that Ponce de Leon reportedly met a Native American who spoke Spanish, suggesting other European explorers preceded him.www.gainesville.com/article/20130406/ARTICLES/130409690?tc=cr
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