Was Florida once under Spanish Rule?

Yes, Florida was once under Spanish rule for over 200 years. Spanish explorers first arrived in Florida in the early 16th century, and the Spanish established a permanent settlement at St. Augustine in 1565. Florida remained a Spanish colony until 1763, when it was ceded to the United Kingdom as a result of the Seven Years' War. The United States acquired Florida from Spain in 1819 as part of the Adams-Onís Treaty.