We"re at the Ponce de León Inlet Light in Central Florida for Pascua Florida Day, which marks the anniversary of the Spanish explorer"s arrival here in 1513. Believing this stretch of coast to be an island, Ponce de León claimed the land for Spain and named it "La Florida"—because of the verdant landscape and also because it was during the Easter season, which the Spaniards called "Pascua Florida" (Festival of Flowers). According to legend, Ponce de León arrived here in search of the Fountain of Youth, a mythical water source said to restore the youth of those who drink from it or bathe in its waters. While that mission was unsuccessful, his name lives on in history–and on this lighthouse and the inlet where it shines.
Pascua Florida Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
The Bahamas
-
The lemurs of Madagascar
-
Mardi Gras flower power
-
Goðafoss waterfall, Iceland
-
Red-necked grebes during breeding season
-
It’s Canada’s national day
-
Crimson-rumped toucanet in the Refugio Paz de Las Aves, Ecuador
-
Beware the Ides of March
-
Presidents Day
-
It s superb owl Sunday
-
Perfect timing
-
Baltic Sea, Estonia
-
Pantaleu
-
League of Nations, 100 years later
-
Southern right whales sail home to South Africa
-
Autumn in Piedmont
-
Fujian Tulou, China
-
Canada s $20 view
-
A tale of almonds and bees
-
The confluence of the Arve and Rhône Rivers
-
Milky Way over Zabriskie Point, California
-
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
-
Nazar amulets, Goreme National Park, Cappadocia, Turkey
-
A view from the top
-
A palace for the public
-
Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
-
Jaguar in the Pantanal wetlands
-
I see one!
-
Burrowing owls
-
On the lookout for Sheep-Cote Clod