1. In 1693, the Spanish treasure ship San Miguel wrecked off the coast of Florida near present-day Fort Pierce. The ship, which was transporting valuable items such as gold, silver, and precious stones, remains one of the most significant shipwrecks in Florida's history.

2. On February 28, 1824, the Territorial Council of Florida established Leon County, which would become the state capital in Tallahassee two years later. Today, Leon County is home to over 290,000 residents and is a hub of government, education, and culture.

3. In 1836, the Second Seminole War began in Florida, when Seminole Indians resisted forced removal from their lands. The conflict lasted nearly eight years and resulted in the loss of thousands of lives on both sides.

4. The Florida East Coast Railway was completed on February 28, 1896, connecting Jacksonville to Key West and opening up the state to increased tourism and economic developments. The railway operated for over seven decades before being destroyed in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

5. On February 28, 2001, the statewide ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces went into effect, making Florida one of the first states in the country to implement such a law. The policy aimed to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke exposure and has since been adopted by many other states and countries.