St Augustine The Birthplace Of American History

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés (1519–1574) founded St. Augustine in 1565. His expedition was documented by his brother-in-law, Gonzalo Solís de Merás, who left a detailed and passionate account of the events leading to the establishment of America’s oldest city. Until recently, the only extant version of Solís de Merás’s record was one single manuscript that Eugenio Ruidíaz y Caravia transcribed in 1893, and subsequent editions and translations have always followed Ruidíaz’s text. In 2012, David Arbesú discovered a more complete record: a manuscript including folios lost for centuries and, more important, excluding portions of the 1893 publication based on retellings rather than the original document. In the resulting volume, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and the Conquest of Florida, Arbesú sheds light on principal events missing from the story of St. Augustine’s founding. By consulting the original chronicle, Arbesú provides readers with the definitive bilingual edition of this seminal text.

By reading this history book, your third grader will be able to describe the founding of St. Augustine in 1565. St. Augustine, today, is known as America’s oldest city. What is its heritage being the oldest city? There’s a lot to learn from reading. Encourage your child to pick up a book and read. Choose one that meets the standards of the US curriculum. Enjoy!

St. Augustine conjures up images of Spanish architecture, a massive fort, splashes of color against a backdrop of river and ocean, and always, always the omnipresent tourist. This ancient town, established along the banks of the Matanzas River in 1565, is the oldest city in America. Founded to protect Spains trade route from South and Central America to Europe, this colorful community was thriving years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and decades before Jamestown was settled. No other place in the United States embodies more charm than this hallowed city. Within these pages, images taken from the St. Augustine Historical Societys archives will educate, enthrall, and entice history buffs, tourists, and residents alike. These vintage photographs will link readers to the past and transform them into more than mere spectators visiting a popular tourist attraction. Rediscover the Spanish connection and see how early settlers built their homes, harvested their crops, educated their children, and protected their land. Walk the same worn and winding paths that the towns forefathers trod and acknowledge both the good and the bad times of life before modernday conveniences. St. Augustine conjures up images of Spanish architecture, a massive fort, splashes of color against a backdrop of river and ocean, and always, always the omnipresent tourist. This ancient town, established along the banks of the Matanzas River in 1565, is the oldest city in America. Founded to protect Spains trade route from South and Central America to Europe, this colorful community was thriving years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and decades before Jamestown was settled. No other place in the United States embodies more charm than this hallowed city. Within these pages, images taken from the St. Augustine Historical Societys archives will educate, enthrall, and entice history buffs, tourists, and residents alike. These vintage photographs will link readers to the past and transform them into more than mere spectators visiting a popular tourist attraction. Rediscover the Spanish connection and see how early settlers built their homes, harvested their crops, educated their children, and protected their land. Walk the same worn and winding paths that the towns forefathers trod and acknowledge both the good and the bad times of life before modernday conveniences.

This book is an introduction to St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest permanent settlement by Europeans in the United States.

The beautiful town of St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest continuously occupied city in North America. Founded in 1565, by Pedro Menendez, of Spain, it predates the Pilgrims at Plymouth rock by 42 years and the English settlement at Jamestown by 55 years. It's old town section with many classic stone and log pole buildings in excellent condition, and its magnificent Spanish fort the Castillo San Marcos, dating from 1672, herald St. Augustine as one of the most amazingly preserved historical towns in the Americas.The History of St. Augustine is a highly enjoyable book to read. As one person complimented, "If history were this fun in school it would be everyone's favorite subject." Taking a unique approach, The History of St. Augustine leaves out all of the accounts of politics, which take up 80% of a usual history book. What remains are all of the exciting and interesting parts of history- the wars, treachery, battles, plagues, hurricanes, pestilences, uprisings, fires and pirates! Plus, insights into the fascinating characters of St. Augustine including Spaniards, French, English, Native Americans and others.Making this wonderful history book even more enjoyable it is filled with whimsical cartoons loosely related to the historical narrative. Funny to both kids and adults, each cartoon also conveys a message about the unique history of marvelous St. Augustine, Florida.Here are some of the compliments given to The History of St. Augustine, from its first printing in 1991:"Never has history been so delightful. It was a great pleasure to obtain so many facts about St. Augustine without making it an all consuming involvement of my time." Jill Stawicki, Feature Film Art Department Coordinator"Great book! It presents history in such an interesting way that my young daughter enjoyed it as much as I did." Gary Greene, Conch House Marina Manager"I have never read a more succinct and funny account of history. Let's have a lot more."Jack Blackman, Art Director for many Hollywood movies. London, England"Wow! Leaving out the politics, while serving a history full of battles, pestilences, hurricanes, and cultural clashes, topped with a liberal spice of humor. It makes a great recipe and a great book."Susan Middleton, Atlanta, GA"Fun and educational. A lovely book on the little town of St. Augustine." Steve Stangle St. Johns County Librarian "Very enjoyable, with enough humorous history to keep all ages interested and entertained from beginning till end."George Harrison, Bridge of Lions Supervisor"Total enjoyment. I laughed. I learned. I loved it. Hurry and write a book like this for New York City. I'll be the first one in line to buy it."Mike Cirillo, NYC, New York

A fascinating historical narrative, this work focuses on the oldest European colonized city in the United States. To give the reader a clearer idea of the antiquity of the city of St. Augustine, at the end of the American Civil War in 1865, this city was already 300 years old. This book looks at the city from its first sighting by Juan Ponce de Leon to when it became part of the United States in 1821 up to the mid-1800s. Some of the topics covered include: Ribault, Laudonniere and Menendez, settlements of the Huguenots and foundation of St. Augustine, the attack on Fort Caroline (San Matteo), shipwreck of Ribault, the bloody massacre at Matanzas, Indian mission, Sir Francis Drake's attack upon the city, subjection of the Appalachian Indians, construction of the fort, sea wall, etc., attack on St. Augustine by Gov. Moore of South Carolina, difficulties with the Georgians, siege by Oglethorpe, English occupation of Florida, re-cession of Florida to Spain, erection of the parish church, transfer of Florida to the United States, American occupation, and ancient buildings. Published in 1858, the history is given from that perspective, and is complimented with a new full-name index.