United States History On This Date: April 2

1513 — Ponce de León Sights and Claims Florida

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sighted and claimed Florida for Spain after landing near present‑day St. Augustine. His arrival marked the beginning of sustained European interest in the region, shaping centuries of colonial competition in North America.

1792 — Congress Establishes the First U.S. Mint

Congress formally created the United States Mint in Philadelphia, laying the foundation for a unified national currency. The Mint’s establishment helped stabilize early American commerce and symbolized the young nation’s growing financial independence.

1863 — The Richmond Bread Riot Erupts

A severe food shortage in the Confederate capital triggered the Richmond Bread Riot, as desperate residents—many of them women—looted shops demanding relief. President Jefferson Davis personally intervened, highlighting the Confederacy’s deepening internal strain.

1865 — Lee Orders the Evacuation of Richmond

General Robert E. Lee informed President Jefferson Davis that Richmond could no longer be defended, prompting the Confederate government to flee the capital. The evacuation signaled the imminent collapse of the Confederacy’s political center.