March 25

Marcos de Niza was a Franciscan friar renowned for his exploration of regions that are now parts of Mexico and the United States. In 1539, he accompanied Coronado's expedition as a guide and later led his own journey northward. He reported sightings of vast cities and indigenous civilizations, stirring European interest in the fabled Seven Cities of Cíbola. His detailed accounts influenced subsequent Spanish missions and colonization efforts. While some of his observations were later debated, his role as one of the earliest European explorers of the Grand Canyon region remains significant.