America Marks 250th. St. Augustine Celebrates 461 Years

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire America Marks 250th. St. Augustine Celebrates 461 YearsAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.While communities nationwide commemorate the birth of the United States in 1776, St. Augustine invites visitors to experience the chapter of American history that began more than two centuries earlier. GNWSt. Augustine recognizes Founder’s Day September 12 with free events and historical reenactmentsTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountSt. Augustine, FL, July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the nation celebrates 250 years of independence, St. Augustine’s Founder’s Day is a reminder that the story began long before 1776, Jamestown, or even Plymouth Rock. The annual event commemorating the landing of Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565 commemorates the founding of the nation’s oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental United States.While communities nationwide commemorate the birth of the United States in 1776, St. Augustine invites visitors to experience the chapter of American history that began more than two centuries earlier.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“It’s incredible that almost two months to the day after America’s official semiquincentennial, Florida’s Historic Coast is celebrating 461 years,” says Susan Phillips, President and CEO of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Founder’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience firsthand the rich, multi-cultural history of St. Augustine and the beginnings of European-American history.”St. Augustine predates Jamestown by 42 years, and the colony of Plymouth by 55 years, a fact that is increasingly recognized in history curricula and public interpretation. But its founding was not a solitary act. Admiral Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés made landfall on September 8, 1565, at a Timucuan village near the modern-day Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, where the Timucuan had been living for over 500 years. Their leader, Chief Seloy, met Menéndez and his group of 800 colonists, who made their first settlement within Seloy’s town, and using the existing council house as the first Spanish fort. Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales commemorated the landing with the first Mass, followed by what scholars consider to be America’s true first Thanksgiving; a shared meal between the Spanish and the Timucuan.The city’s multicultural story continued to evolve for centuries, the first free Black settlement (Fort Mose) in the continental United States to the British occupation from 1763 to 1784, when Spain ceded Florida to England in the Treaty of Paris following the Seven Years’ War.Although the historic landing occurred on September 8, 1565, this year Founder’s Day will be celebrated on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Mission Nombre de Dios and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. It is presented in partnership with the Historic Florida Militia’s Men of Menéndez, the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation, and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.10 a.m.: Reenactment of the 1565 landing at Mission Nombre de Dios, with cannon and musket salutes11 a.m.: Catholic Mass at the outdoor Rustic Altar12 p.m.: Grand procession from the Mission Nombre de Dios to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park1 p.m.: Reenactment of the first Thanksgiving meal between the Spanish and Timucua1-5 p.m.: Encampment and living history and weapons demonstrationsThis advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The landing, mass, and procession are free and open to the public. Regular admission applies for entry to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.Founder’s Day is one of many experiences on Florida’s Historic Coast where visitors can walk in the footsteps of explorers, soldiers, Indigenous peoples, and settlers who shaped the nation’s earliest history. Continue the journey with a curated two-day historical itinerary or plan a longer stay exploring centuries of stories at FloridasHistoricCoast.com.Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive, St. Augustine; 200 Solana Rd. Suite B, Ponte Vedra Beach; and at the St. Johns County Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For advance travel information, call 1-800-653-2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast; Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine; and Threads @floridashistoriccoastBarbara Golden St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau 904-669-8142 Bgolden@floridashistoriccoast.com Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.