Juan Ponce de León is generally credited with discovering Florida for Europe. He landed on the east coast of Florida between April 2 and April 8, 1513, during a Spanish expedition. He named the land "La Florida" because he arrived during the Easter season, known as "Pascua Florida" in Spanish. Ponce de León's landing marked the first documented European exploration of what would become the mainland United States, and he claimed the land for Spain. Although there are legends about him searching for the Fountain of Youth, his expedition was likely motivated by the desire for gold, land, and new territories to colonize for Spain. Prior to Ponce de León, there might have been other European sightings or visits, but Ponce de León's voyage is the first well-documented discovery of Florida.
