Hernando de Soto (c. 1500-1542) was the Spanish explorer discovered the Mississippi River.
Lured by false reports of gold and silver treasures in the wilderness, he landed in Florida in 1539 and slogged through much of what is now the American South. He passed through present-day North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
In 1541, he and his men became the first Europeans to see the mighty Mississippi River. The expedition also explored Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, but de Soto did not live to complete it: he died of fever and was buried in the river he had discovered. Some of his men survived to reach Mexico in 1543.
Explorer Hernando de Soto was often shown in his armor in engravings. Despite the high temperatures in North America’s south and southwest, Spanish explorers often wore their heavy armor into battle against Native Americans.
Related Posts
-
What Is the Longest River In the United States and Where Does the Mississippi River Begin and End?
The Mississippi River is 2,340 miles (3,767 km) long, making it the longest river in the United States. The river originates at Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows southwards in sweeping meanders, and begins…
-
Where Is the Longest River In the United States and How Long Is the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River is 2,340 miles (3,767 km) long, making it the longest in the United States. The Missouri River, at 2,315 miles (3,727 km) long, is the second longest, and together they…
-
Which Is the Longest River In China the Yangtze River or the Yellow River and How Long Is It?
The Yangtze River runs for about 3,955 miles (6,363 km), and is longer than the Yellow River, which is about 2,896 miles (4,660 km) long. The Yangtze River is the world's third longest…
-
How Many Explorer Satellites Were Launched Into Space and What Was the Purpose of the Explorer Space Program?
Sixty-five Explorer satellites, all unmanned, were launched from Earth between 1958 and 1984, seven failed to launch successfully. They were all sent into space to collect data and conduct experiments on specific phenomena.…
-
Which Spanish Explorer discovered the Grand Canyon and When?
Spanish explorer, Francisco de Coronado (c. 1510-1554) discovered the Grand Canyon. He too came in search of rumored treasure, in this case, the fabulously wealthy Seven Cities of Cibola and another legendary realm…
-
How Far Can a Ship Travel Up the Mississippi River From the Gulf of Mexico?
Small ships can make it up the Mississippi from New Orleans all the way to Minneapolis, Minnesota, about 1,800 miles (2,898 km) north. The river is 9 to 100 feet (2.7 to 31…
