Pedro Menendez de Aviles died on this date

Date in History: 

17 Sep 1574

9/17 Today in Florida History from the Florida Historical Society!

1574 – Pedro Menendez de Aviles died on this date in Santander, Spain. Menendez founded St. Augustine in 1565 and spent years in Florida traveling among the Tequesta, Ais and other native tribes. Menendez was one of the first Spanish explorers since Hernando de Soto to thoroughly explore parts of the Florida territory. He was appointed the Captain General of the Fleet of the Indies in 1554 which transported treasure from the Americas back to Spain, and served briefly as the governor of Cuba. He made his last trip to Florida in 1572, but died shortly after returning to Spain.

Tags: 

Relevant Year: 

1574

Relevant Month: 

09

Relevant Day: 

17