Today In History
5 Fun Facts About September 23 In Florida History
1. Hurricane Season Peaks September 23rd marks the peak of hurricane season in Florida. Since the state is particularly vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes due to its location and shape, it is always on alert during this time. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma, the most intense hurricane ever recorded in...
5 Fun Facts About September 16 In Florida History
1. On September 16, 1959, Florida's first university, the University of Florida, officially integrated six black students. George Starke, George Simpson, Vernon Swartsel, and Dwayne O. Williams were the first black students to enroll in undergraduate programs, while Wilhelmina C. Rolle and Florette Henrietta King enrolled in graduate programs. 2....
5 Fun Facts About September 15 In Florida History
1. On September 15, 1821, Florida became a United States territory. Prior to this, it had been a Spanish colony. 2. In 1963, the first game of the American Football League's Miami Dolphins was played on September 15 at the Orange Bowl. The Dolphins lost to the Oakland Raiders with...
5 Fun Facts About September 14 In Florida History
1. Hurricane Jeanne Hits Florida (2004) On September 14, 2004, Hurricane Jeanne made landfall near Stuart, Florida. The storm had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane by the time it hit Florida, but still caused significant damage, including widespread power outages and flooding. 2. Florida President Harry S. Truman Visits...
5 Fun Facts About September 11 In Florida History
1. Florida was home to several of the 9/11 terrorists. Mohamed Atta, the leader of the group, lived in Hollywood, Florida, and several of the other hijackers trained and prepared for the attacks in the state. 2. Two of the planes used in the attacks departed from airports in Florida....
5 Fun Facts About September 7 In Florida History
1. In 1843, Key West, Florida was officially declared a United States port of entry, opening up the city to trade and new opportunities. 2. On September 7, 1936, the famous writer Zora Neale Hurston's novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" was first published. The novel is set in Florida...
5 Fun Facts About September 5 In Florida History
1. On September 5, 1958, the first stretch of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened to traffic, connecting St. Petersburg and Terra Ceia across Tampa Bay. The bridge was completed in 1987, after being rebuilt following a tragic accident in 1980 when a freighter crashed into the bridge, causing a section...
5 Fun Facts About September 4 In Florida History
1. Hurricane Dora struck Florida: On September 4, 1964, Hurricane Dora made landfall near St. Augustine, Florida, causing extensive damage and claiming five lives. It was one of the most destructive hurricanes to strike the state. 2. The Great Miami Hurricane hit Florida: On September 4, 1926, the Great Miami...
5 Fun Facts About September 2 In Florida History
1. On September 2, 1935, one of the most destructive storms in Florida's history made landfall. Known as the Labor Day Hurricane, it ravaged the Upper Keys, with winds up to 200mph and a storm surge that destroyed nearly every structure on the islands. More than 400 people lost their...
5 Fun Facts About September 1 In Florida History
1. Hurricane Dora made landfall on September 1, 1964, causing significant damage and claiming five lives. The storm is often cited as one of the most destructive hurricanes to ever hit Northeast Florida, leaving thousands of homes destroyed and causing widespread flooding. 2. On September 1, 1997, NASA's Mars Pathfinder...
5 Fun Facts About August 31 In Florida History
1. Hurricane David Hits South Florida - On August 31, 1979, Hurricane David made landfall in Jupiter, Florida, causing over $90 million in damages and killing three people. The category 2 hurricane had winds of up to 110 miles per hour and caused widespread flooding and power outages. 2. Signing...
5 Fun Facts About August 29 In Florida History
1. The deadliest hurricane in U.S. history made landfall in the Florida Keys on August 29, 1935. The Category 5 storm, known as the Labor Day Hurricane, killed more than 400 people and caused widespread damage. 2. On August 29, 1964, Walt Disney announced plans to build a theme park...