JUAN PONCE DE LEONBy Gunner Myers

JUAN PONCE DE LEON TRAVELED WITH

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS TO THE CARIBBEAN IN

1493 AS A YOUNG SOLIDER OF SPAIN.

FROM THE CARIBBEAN HE EXPLORED AN ISLAND CALLED BORINQUEN [OR PORTO

RICO] IN 1506 HOPING TO DISCOVER GOLD!

SOON AFTER PONCE DE LEON HEARD OF “THE

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.” SO IN 1513 HE SET SAIL TO

FIND IT.

A MONTH LATTER HE SET FOOT ON SHORE AND

NAMED THE [WHAT HE THOUGHT] ISLAND PACUA

OR FLORIDA. BUT HE COULD NOT FIND “THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.”

DEFEATED, PONCE DE LEON RETURNED TO

PORTO RICO. BUT IN 1521 HE SAILED BACK TO

FLORIDA TO START A SETTLEMENT.

HE AND HIS SETTLEMENT WERE THEN ATTACKED BY

AN UNWELCOMING INDIAN TRIBE. IN THE BATTLE PONCE DE LEON WAS

SHOT WITH AN ARROW AND, SOON DIED IN CUBA!

BIBLIOGRAPHYSOCIAL STUDIES ALIVE! PALO ALTO CA: TEACHERS’

CURRICULUM INSTITUTE, 2010.61.