In the Sun Shine State on this day in 1565 From the Diary of Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, Chaplain to Pedro Menendez’s expedition to Florida...

“At four o’clock in the afternoon of Friday, August 17, we came in view of the island of Santo Domingo.The General [Menendez], putting himself in the mercy of God, directed the Admiral’s ship to take the Northern course and put into the mouth of a very dangerous channel which up to then had never been navigated. Although the Admiral and all of us were apprehensive, we must do the General’s bidding. When we entered, the angry sea and heavy waves seemed ready to consume us.The Admiral ordered that I give comfort to the soldiers with prayers and counseling All that night was dreadful.”

Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, Laudonniere and Fort Caroline.