The New World

• Caribbean Indians told early European explorers about a fountain somewhere to the north that would restore old men to their youth and vitality if it was ever found.
  
  

Bimini

• The land that contained the alleged Fountain of Youth was called "Bimini," and it also supposedly held gold and riches.
  
  

Ponce de Leon

• Ponce de Leon served as governor of Puerto Rico in the early 16th century and likely heard stories of the Fountain of Youth from the local natives.
  
  

Exploration

• De Leon set out to look for Bimini in 1513. It is extremely unlikely he gave much credence to the Fountain of Youth legends, but he might have hoped for gold, slaves and similar mundane forms of wealth.
  
  

St. Augustine

• De Leon landed in what is believed to be the vicinity of St. Augustine, Florida, on March 27, 1513. He found no Fountain of Youth but named the land "Florida" in reference to the Easter holiday and the flowers that grew there.