For the 400th anniversary of St Augustine settlement in Florida the USA issued one stamp in 1965 of 5c. The stamp shows a Spanish explorer in the foreground, some Spanish royal banners and two sailing vessel of that time on the left. When it are vessels of the fleet of the Spanish Admiral Pedro de Meméndez de Aviles, who founded St Augustine his flagship was the SAN AGUSTIN and the settlement. St Augustine was named after the ship. It is the first continuous permanent European settlement in the New World.
On Easter Sunday in 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon first claimed Florida (originally named Pascua florida, meaning flowery Eastern) for the Spanish empire. It was not until five decades later, however, after several unsuccessful attempts at colonization, General Pedro Menéndez de Aviles sailed in the mouth of the Saint John’s River on 28 August 1565, the royal contract he carried dictated an expedition with a two-fold purpose. In addition to a cargo of artisans, farmers slaves, livestock and tools the fleet of 10 Spanish vessels transported a fighting force of 500 soldiers and seamen to thwart the Huguenot influence at Fort Caroline, founded by the French a year earlier. Menéndez fleet sailing south down the Florida coast 25-miles past the Huguenot settlement.
Menéndez embarked the colonists at the River of Dolphins (St John’s River) and the village of Saint Augustine was established.
Ten days later, when the French fleet was driven out to sea and scattered by a storm, the Spanish force returned by overland route and destroyed the fort, thus ending France’s future in Florida. An English effort to destroy Saint Augustine by Sir Francis Drake failed in 1568, and the Spanish village continued to flourish in later years despite a hectic history of sieges and treaties under four different flags.
Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513 after landing on the northeast coast. He returned eight years later to found a colony, but was unsuccessful and was killed. Panifilo de Narvaez anchored in Tampa Bay in 1528 and travelled inland. In 1539, Hernando de Soto landed near Tampa Bay and explored that area as well as northern Florida. Tristan de Luna attempted to establish a permanent colony on Pensacola Bay in 1559 with 1,600 men and women, but abandoned the effort after two years.
French Huguenot leader Gaspard de Coligny commissioned Jean Ribaut to found a colony in the territory in 1562. Ribaut's aide, Rene de Laudonniere, built Fort Caroline near present-day Jacksonville. Philip II of Spain sent a military expedition, led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, to destroy the French settlement. Arriving in 1565, Menendez established St. Augustine and massacred the French. He captured Fort Caroline and founded another settlement there.
http://usstampgallery.com/ and Internet.
USA 1965 5c sg?, scott