Today In History
5 Fun Facts About June 1 In Florida History
1. In 1868, the city of Jacksonville was devastated by a massive fire that destroyed over 2000 buildings and left thousands homeless. The fire was sparked by a kitchen accident and spread quickly due to strong winds and the wooden construction of the buildings at the time. 2. On June...
5 Fun Facts About May 30 In Florida History
1) In 1539, Hernando de Soto discovered Tampa Bay, Florida after exploring the western coast of the state for four months. 2) On May 30, 1868, the first Memorial Day was observed in Florida at the St. Augustine National Cemetery to honor Union soldiers who died during the Civil War....
5 Fun Facts About May 21 In Florida History
1. In 1856, the Battle of Gainesville took place in Florida, which was the largest battle fought in the state during the Third Seminole War. The battle lasted for three days and ended with the U.S. Army successfully taking control of the city from the Seminole Indians. 2. On May...
5 Fun Facts About May 18 In Florida History
1. In 1521, the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was fatally wounded by a Calusa arrow in what is now Southwest Florida. This injury ultimately led to his death shortly after returning to Havana, Cuba. 2. On May 18, 1845, Florida officially became the 27th state to join the United...
5 Fun Facts About May 17 In Florida History
1. In 1865, Florida's governor issued a proclamation recognizing May 17 as "Emancipation Day," recognizing the abolition of slavery in the state. This was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. 2. On May 17, 1960, the first Cuban refugees arrived in Florida following the...
5 Fun Facts About May 13 In Florida History
1. In 1539, Hernando de Soto landed in Florida on May 13th. De Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the first European expedition deep into the territory that would become the United States. He arrived on the west coast of Florida and eventually explored much of the...
5 Fun Facts About May 5 In Florida History
1. In 1835, during the Second Seminole War, General Thomas Jesup negotiated a temporary truce with Seminole leaders at Fort Brooke in Tampa. It lasted only a few weeks before the fighting resumed. 2. On May 5, 1917, the United States officially entered World War I, with a declaration of...
5 Fun Facts About May 1 In Florida History
1. Florida workers fought for the eight-hour workday on May 1, 1886: On this day, workers across the country went on strike to protest for an eight-hour workday. In Florida, workers joined in and marched in the streets of Jacksonville, Tampa, and Tallahassee to demand a shorter workday. 2. The...
5 Fun Facts About April 30 In Florida History
1. On April 30, 1782, a naval battle was fought off the coast of Florida between the British fleet and Spanish ships. The battle lasted for several hours and resulted in the Spanish victory. 2. In 1812, on the same date, East Florida was annexed by the United States and...
5 Fun Facts About April 20 In Florida History
1. On April 20, 1961, the first air-conditioned stadium in Florida opened in Miami. The Orange Bowl, which was home to the Miami Hurricanes football team, had a capacity of 75,000 and became a popular venue for major events and concerts. 2. On April 20, 1971, the Jacksonville Suns minor...
5 Fun Facts About April 19 In Florida History
1. Andrew Jackson captured Pensacola in 1818 On April 19, 1818, General Andrew Jackson and his troops captured Pensacola, marking an important victory in the First Seminole War. Jackson had been given orders to pursue hostile Indian tribes into Florida, but he went beyond his orders and also took possession...
5 Fun Facts About April 17 In Florida History
1. In 1864, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith and Union General Nathaniel Banks engaged in the Battle of Pleasant Hill in Louisiana, which had a significant impact on Florida's role in the Confederate States of America. 2. In 1958, the NASA Experimental Test Pilot School was established in Florida, paving...