Image courtesy of Nuestro Stories.
The first Christmas celebrated in what today is the United States was hot, not a winter wonderland.
In May 1539, eight months before the holiday, the Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernando de Soto established his winter encampment near the Indian Apalachee capital of Anhaica, located in present-day Tallahassee, Florida.
It was the Christmas of the Conquistadores
De Soto and his band of weary expeditioners fought their way north before reaching Anhayea, a village in the vicinity of Anhaica that the Apalachee Indians had abandoned. This is where they set up camp.
They had to slog through the heat, insects, tropical diseases, and hostile Apalachees. De Soto had two of his front teeth knocked out by a brave Indian.
Many of the explorers in his band died before reaching the encampment.
The Apalachees are the original residents of northwestern Florida. War in the early 1700’s nearly destroyed their population, and some fled to Alabama and Louisiana, where the remaining Apalachee people live to this day.
De Soto was sent to explore, claim and settle La Florida for the Spanish crown. The Spanish had a vague concept of what La Florida was — a territory covering most southeastern United States.
A veteran of campaigns in Central and South America, the Spanish explorer was known for his ruthlessness and skill as a soldier. De Soto was the governor of Cuba and holder of a royal charter to conquer La Florida. He was also one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time.
He landed at present-day Shaw’s Point with nine ships with more than 620 men and 220 horses. The Spanish explorer named the place Espíritu Santo, which means Holy Spirit.
Along with De Soto and his men, in order to achieve the goal of a settlement, came priests, bureaucrats, craftsmen, engineers, farmers, and merchants. Some came from Cuba but mainly from Europe and Africa. Few had ever seen land besides Spain.
Although there is no mention of Christmas in the chronicles of De Soto’s expedition, the Spanish were Catholics. The clergy at the party would have held a Christmas mass.
A solemn affair
It wasn’t a winter wonderland, much to the contrary. The first Christmas was probably celebrated outside, with the Christmas mass very similar to those held in a Franciscan chapel.
The women from the group probably cooked the food served on Christmas Day. During archeological excavations, pig bones were found. The Spanish were the first to bring pigs to Florida.
According to historians, pork might have been on the menu, although the meat was not available in large quantities. What is most likely is that the Christmas meal was made up of local vegetables, fruits, and fish. And maybe a turkey or two.
No stockings hung by the fireplace, nor gifts to open, but prayers for the survival of De Soto and his band of survivors.
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