Timeline

When did each country rule Florida?

Many countries were a part of Florida's history and evolution.

1513

Juan Ponce De Leon Statue - St Augustine, Florida

By Dan Lundberg (St Augustine, Florida.) [CC BY-SA 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons

The first European to discover Florida was the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. He landed on the coast near what later became St. Augustine. However, he did not claim the land for Spain

1564

The French established Fort Caroline near Jacksonville. With the establishment of Fort Caroline, France becomes the first country to rule Florida

Colored engraving of a view of French Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River.

1565‒1763

The first permanent European settlement in the United States was established by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez at St. Augustine and the Spanish over control of Florida from the French.

Map of Florida with St. Augustine marked.

1763‒1783

Britain took control of Florida from Spain after winning the French and Indian War. East and West Florida were established at this time.

Map showing the boundary between the United States and Spanish Florida as set by "Pinckney's Treaty"—signed on October 27, 1795 and became effective on August 3, 1796—at 31°N; also shown is the portion of Spanish West Florida between 31°N and 32° 22′, which Spain relinquished its claim to in the treaty.

clicker Click image to enlarge.

By Drdpw [CC BY-SA 4.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

1783‒1821

After the American Revolution, Spain once again claimed Florida as its own.

1845

Florida became a U.S. state.