Florida celebrates!

MOST of America’s eastern seaboard was settled and developed in the 17th and 18th centuries by English colonists – Puritans, merchants, and slave traders! – but #Florida has older, Spanish roots which will be celebrated in September.

On September 8, 1565, 800 Spaniards gathered on the shores of a Florida saltmarsh. Soldiers and sailors were joined by more than 100 civilians – married men and women, artisans, tradesmen, and children – when General Pedro Menéndez de Aviles stepped ashore from his longboat. Kneeling and kissing the cross, he and his officers swore allegiance to God and King and named the site St. Augustine … omitting to consult the Native Americans in the nearby village.

#St. Augustine – said to be oldest continuously occupied European city in the US – will mark its 450th anniversary with a five-day festival that features historic re-enactments, fireworks, concerts, street parties, and a commemorative mass to be attended by Roman Catholic clergy from across the US and Cuba.

While not able to visit St. Augustine during the anniversary festival, King Felipe of Spain will attend the US-Spain Council International Summit in St. Augustine September 18-20.

www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com
www.StAugustine-450.com


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49109678@N04/9021890716">All of The Lights</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/76093456@N04/9425836045">St Augustine, Florida</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)