Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
First Spanish Governor of Florida
Born
February 15th, 1519
506 years ago
Died
September 17th, 1574
450 years ago — 55 years old
Category
Leaders & Politicians
Country
Spain
Links & References
Served as the first Spanish Governor of Florida, establishing the settlement of St. Augustine in 1565, which became the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. Appointed by King Philip II of Spain, Menéndez led military expeditions in the region and focused on converting the local Indigenous populations to Christianity. His tenure marked the beginning of a structured Spanish presence in Florida.
Established St. Augustine, Florida in 1565
Served as the first Spanish Governor of Florida
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