1. On July 2, 1917, the East Coast Railway, running from Jacksonville to Miami, officially opened. This connected Florida’s major cities via railway for the first time, allowing for greater transportation and economic growth across the state.
2. In 1964, on July 2, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. The Act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and was a major step forward in the fight for equality and justice for all Americans.
3. On July 2, 1845, Florida officially became the 27th state in the United States of America. This marked the end of its time as a territory and established its position as a vital and integral part of the nation.
4. In 1985, on July 2, the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party was held in Jacksonville. This annual event, which is still held to this day, sees the University of Georgia Bulldogs take on the University of Florida Gators in a college football match, and draws tens of thousands of fans from all over the country.
5. On July 2, 2017, the world’s largest Lego pirate ship was unveiled in West Palm Beach. Built by a team of Lego enthusiasts, the ship measured over 26 feet long and used over 200,000 Lego bricks to create a stunning, detailed replica of a real-life pirate vessel. The ship was on display for several months and was a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.