Category Archives: St. Augustine

The First European Battle In The New World – The Battle Of Fort Caroline

The First European Battle In The New World – The Battle Of Fort Caroline

The Spanish had long planned on becoming the dominant force in the colonization of Florida from the late 1400s through to the 1500s. Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish conquistador, and explorer, are widely known to have led the very first European expedition to Florida. After traveling to the New World with Christopher Columbus in […]

End Of The French Huguenots In Florida – The Story Of The Loss Of The French Fleet

End Of The French Huguenots In Florida – The Story Of The Loss Of The French Fleet

After being released from prison in 1564, French Huguenot explorer, navigator, and sea captain Jean Ribault was sent on a relief mission back to Florida, on his second voyage. Setting sail with a fleet of seven ships, five hundred soldiers, weapons and ammunition, various supplies, a selection of livestock, and five hundred sailors and colonists, […]

Fun Facts – 4 Interesting Things You Might Not Have Known About St. Augustine

Fun Facts – 4 Interesting Things You Might Not Have Known About St. Augustine

The history of St. Augustine is fascinating. Founded on September 8th, 1565, by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the conquistador originally named the settlement ‘St. Augustín’. He arrived with supplies, soldiers, and settlers from Spain with the intention of establishing a stronghold in the area, which he achieved success. From their fleet, Menendez and […]

Before Colonization – Who Were The Timucua Indians?

Before Colonization – Who Were The Timucua Indians?

Before European colonizers reached the shores of modern-day Florida, the Timucua Indians occupied the region. They represented the largest indigenous group in the area, with thirty-five different chiefdoms being established that led thousands of people. Timucuan speakers occupied an area of more than 19,200 miles, which consisted of many different and diverse environments, including lakes, […]

The Significance Of The Cathedral Basilica Of St. Augustine In Florida’s History

The Significance Of The Cathedral Basilica Of St. Augustine In Florida’s History

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the seat of the current Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine and is the oldest Catholic Church in the country. This is where the city of St. Augustine was founded in September 1565, more than a century before many other American towns were ever established. Known as […]

Explorer And Conquistador – Introducing Pedro Menendez de Aviles Of Spain

Explorer And Conquistador – Introducing Pedro Menendez de Aviles Of Spain

In 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his men set sail for the New World. King Philip II of Spain, a devout Catholic, ordered his men to sail to Florida to remove the French Protestants from the region. He and his men landed in what is nowadays St. Augustine, and set off overland to overturn […]

Bold Beginnings – How St. Augustine Became The First City In The United States

Bold Beginnings – How St. Augustine Became The First City In The United States

Long before the pilgrims arrived in Jamestown, the longest-standing permanent European settlement in the modern-day United States had already been founded. In fact, it was founded fifty-five years earlier. Back in September 1565, the history of St. Augustine began with Spanish sailor, soldier, and explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and his men established a settlement […]

The History Of The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine - Florida’s Oldest Catholic Church

The History Of The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine – Florida’s Oldest Catholic Church

The history of St. Augustine dates back to September 1565, when the city was first founded, becoming one of the oldest established cities in the country. Earning its nickname, ‘The Ancient City, St Augustine, is renowned for its stunning architecture and the intricately designed facades that punctuate the cobblestone streets of this remarkable city. Undoubtedly, […]

5 Unique Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The History Of St. Augustine

5 Unique Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The History Of St. Augustine

St. Augustine is home to dozens of historical landmarks that help to piece together the interesting history of this city. The city has played host to a number of different people and cultures over the years, evidence of which is still evident through the city’s historical sites today. Native Americans, Spanish settlers, British soldiers, pirates, […]

History Of St. Augustine – A Timeline Of The City’s Most Important Historical Events

History Of St. Augustine – A Timeline Of The City’s Most Important Historical Events

The history of St. Augustine is as interesting and diverse as the people who live there today. As one of the first sites of colonization, and the oldest continuously occupied European settlement, in what would become the United States, St. Augustine has also played an important role in the history of the country. From the […]