When Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León landed on the Atlantic coast in 1513 – at a spot now marked by a statue in Ponte Vedra Beach (pictured) – he arrived on Easter Sunday, known in Spain as 'La Pascua de las Flores' ('Feast of Flowers').

Some believe he named the land 'La Pascua Florida' in honor of the holy day, while others argue it was simply 'La Florida' ('the place of flowers'), inspired by the region’s lush springtime blooms.

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