Who was the first European to set foot in what later becomes the US?

The first European believed to have set foot in what later became the United States was Juan Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer. He arrived in Florida in 1513 while searching for the Fountain of Youth. His journey marked the beginning of European exploration in the region, although Norse explorer Leif Erikson had previously arrived in North America around 1000 AD, specifically in areas that are part of modern-day Canada. However, Ponce de León is often credited for his significant role in the early exploration of the continental United States.