Florida Living History’s Founding Day 2015

Historical Re-Enactment and St. Augustine’s 450th Anniversary

On the afternoon of June 27, 1565*, the largest squadron of the Armada de Florida, under the command of one of Spain’s most famous and capable mariners, Captain-General Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, left its anchorage in the ancient harbor of Cádiz and set sail for North America’s peninsula of Florida.  The settlers, soldiers, and sailors aboard this fleet would establish what would become the State of Florida, as well as found the first permanent European city, port, and parish in what is now the continental United States – St. Augustine, Florida.

Mark your calendars for the 450th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of St. Augustine.

On September 8, 2015, Florida Living History, Inc.’s annual Founding Day heritage Event will commemorate the 450th anniversary of the founding of the City of St. Augustine, Florida’s colonial capitol.

Florida Living History, Inc., has been engaged by the Diocese of St. Augustine, in alliance with the City of St. Augustine, to present the historical re-enactment of Menéndez’ landing on September 8, 1565.

The 450th Anniversary commemoration by Florida Living History, Inc.’s volunteers will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., at Mission Nombre de Dios; located at 27 Ocean Avenue in St. Augustine, FL.

This year’s unique 450th Anniversary heritage Event – planned, funded, and produced by non-profit Florida Living History, Inc. – will take place on the original date and on the original site of the “Noble and Loyal City’s” founding in September 1565.

Admission to this heritage Event is free of charge to the public.

Partners in this traditional Founding Day Event include:

• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument ;
• Florida Humanities Council an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities ;
• Mission Nombre de Dios and Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche ;
• St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc. an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution ;
• St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation, Inc. ;
• VISIT FLORIDA ;
• Viva Florida ;

and others.

Florida Living History, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the support of living history activities, events, and portrayals related to the history of colonial Florida.

For further information on Founding Day 2015, press images, logos, and additional background information, please contact Florida Living History, Inc., at info@floridalivinghistory.org.

*Lyon, Eugene; The Enterprise of Florida: Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and the Spanish Conquest of 1565-1568; (University Presses of Florida, 1974); p. 97.