How St. Augustine Got Its Name

The question is often asked how and why St. Augustine got its name. The story is simple and for those who do not know these are the historical facts.
THE SPANISH ADMIRAL, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, left Santo Domingo on August 15,1565 for Florida with five ships carrying 500 soldiers, 200 sailors and 100 noncombatants. The ships reached the Florida coast at about Cape Canaveral on August 28 and sailed northward to the French-named Dolphin, which the Adelantado Menendez renamed San Agustin as it was on the festival of Saint Augustine, August 28, that he had reached Florida.
Historical accounts relate that on Sept. 4 Menendez sailed up to the River of May (St. Johns River) in search of the French, finding them he challenged them, Ribault, aware of his danger, sailed away. Menendez gave pursuit north five or six leagues and finally at dawn directed one of his ships to return to the harbor. The Adelantado then ordered the other ships to San Agustin, entering the port without incident on the eve of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thus St. Augustine was named and officially born on Saturday, Sept. 8,1565. «
THE SAINT FOR WHICH ihe city was named was born Nov. 13, 354 in the small town of Tagaste in Africa. He became bishop of Hippo in Roman Africa and is known as one of the great saints and scholars of the catholic faith. He died August 28, 430, SH& feast is celebrated on this date.
-Historic St. Augustine Preservation
Submitted by Jo Ann Scott