Hernando de Soto claims Florida for Spain. By Dan HullJune 3, 2019February 27, 2025Uncategorized This is one of my favorite days of the year. On June 3, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto (1495-1542) stood in Tampa Bay and claimed all of Florida for Spain. De Soto encouraged natives to believe he was a “Sun God” to gain their passivity.