Two historic Florida destinations, St. Augustine and Pensacola, have announced a joint campaign called “From the 1500s, With Love” to mark America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The initiative aims to highlight the nation’s early history, emphasizing that significant events occurred before 1776.
Visit Pensacola and Florida’s Historic Coast are collaborating on this project to showcase the earliest European settlements in what is now the United States. Pensacola is recognized as the site of America’s first multi-year European settlement, established in 1559. St. Augustine is known as the oldest continuously occupied city in the country, founded in 1565.
As part of the semiquincentennial celebrations, both destinations will introduce shared content, travel itineraries, and events designed to encourage travelers to explore their historical significance. The campaign includes digital story collections featuring diverse communities and voices from Florida’s early history.
The initiative offers travel itineraries connecting Florida’s Historic Coast and Pensacola, highlights museums and heritage sites related to Indigenous, Spanish, French, British, African, and maritime history, and provides family-friendly experiences along with educational resources for various audiences.
Information about these offerings can be found on each destination’s dedicated landing page: floridashistoriccoast.com/events/250/ for Florida’s Historic Coast and visitpensacola.com/America250/ for Pensacola.
In addition to road-trip materials and cultural programming tied to America’s 250th anniversary, visitors will have access to resources intended for students, educators, families, and lifelong learners. The campaign also aims to inspire curiosity through collaborative social media content.
