It all began on Sept. 8, 1565; Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 Spanish settlers landed in St. Augustine, Fla.

The first Catholic Thanksgiving Mass and Thanksgiving meal were celebrated by Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales. The meal was celebrated between the Spanish and the local Timucuan tribe, where they shared food from both cultures.

Sept. 6, 2025 marks the 460th anniversary of Founder’s Day.

“It was the first community act of religion and thanksgiving in the first permanent settlement in the land,” University of Florida professor and historian Michael Gannon said, in his book, “The Cross in the Sand.”

The Diocese of St. Augustine hosts an anniversary celebration on Sept. 6 2025, at Mission Nombre de Dios. It will begin with a reenactment of Pedro Menéndez landing; followed by a Mass at the Rustic Altar, in remembrance of the first Mass celebrated in the U.S. Where Bishop Erik Pohlmeier will be the celebrant.

Later at noon, a procession will lead all participants to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. This will lead to the reenactment of the Thanksgiving meal. There will also be Spanish encampment and weapons displayed at the Fountain of Youth. Pedro Menéndez named the settlement after the feast day which he landed on, St. Augustine. His settlement, as well as the Thanksgiving mass, sparked the religious heritage in the U.S.