Re-live historic landing of Pedro Menendez September 8th

Historic City News readers know that it was four hundred and fifty years ago, on September 8, 1565, that General Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles stepped ashore at Matanzas Bay and founded St. Augustine, Florida; the oldest continuously occupied city, port, and parish of European origin in the continental United States.

As part of the community’s commemoration of that landmark event in our history, the annual re-enactment of Menendez’ landing will be presented by the volunteer cast of performers from Florida Living History  on the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios.

“I am grateful to you and the Florida Living History’s Board of Directors for your acknowledgement of the role of the Catholic Church in the founding of St. Augustine,” the Most Reverend John Noonan, Bishop of Orlando, remarked in a letter to the local non-profit organization’s president.

At 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, the 450th anniversary date of the founding of the colonial capitol of Florida and time of the anniversary reenactment, Menendez and his men will make landfall aboard their authentic Spanish chalupa, at the traditional site of Menendez’ landing; the birthplace of America and cradle of Christianity in the continental United States.

“There is no doubt that the history you bring to life in the St. Augustine area will be the highlight of the 450th anniversary commemoration,” said the Honorable Ken Detzner, Florida’s Secretary of State, in his commendation of the heritage efforts presented by Florida Living History, Inc. “Observation of this important anniversary in St. Augustine and in Florida during 2015 will bring wanted national and international attention to the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States.”

Partners in the traditional Founding Day Event include:

• Bonner Construction;
  Castillo de San Marcos National Monument ;
  De Soto National Memorial ;
  Espiritu 500 Caravel ;
  The Florida Historical Society ;
  The Florida National Guard and Florida Department of Military Affairs ;
  Mission Nombre de Dios and Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche ;
  The St. Augustine Historical Society ;
  The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc. ;
  The St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation, Inc. ;
  The St. Johns Cultural Council  ;
  Southeast Reenactors, LLC;
  The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary / Division 14 Honor/Color Guard ;
  VISIT FLORIDA  ;
  Viva Florida ;

Mission Nombre de Dios is located at 27 Ocean Avenue in St. Augustine, FL on the shores of the beautiful Matanzas Bay.

Admission to this heritage Event is free of charge. Financial support for Florida Living History, Inc.’s Founding Day 2015 historical re-enactment is provided solely by fund-raising and by the continuing generosity of our donors. No local public funds are utilized.

Florida Living History, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization is 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, please contact Florida Living History, Inc. by e-mail at info@floridalivinghistory.org