<P> Hernando de Soto ( c. 1495 -- May 21 , 1542 ) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern - day United States ( Florida , Georgia , Mississippi , Alabama and most likely Arkansas ) . He is the first European documented as having crossed the Mississippi River . </P>
<P> Hernando de Soto ( c. 1495 -- May 21 , 1542 ) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern - day United States ( Florida , Georgia , Mississippi , Alabama and most likely Arkansas ) . He is the first European documented as having crossed the Mississippi River . </P>
first european known to have crossed the mississippi river ( 2 wds . )
first european known to have crossed the mississippi river ( 2 wds . )
Hernando de Soto
Hernando de Soto