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5 Fun Facts About July 17 In Florida History
1. In 1955, Disneyland opened in California, but Walt Disney originally planned to build the park in St. Louis, Missouri or in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. 2. On July 17, 1967, a deadly tornado ripped through the city of Sanford, Florida, killing 12 people and injuring over 200...
5 Fun Facts About July 16 In Florida History
1. On July 16, 1951, the United States Army established the Orlando Army Air Base, now known as the Orlando International Airport. The base was originally used for training during World War II and later converted into a commercial airport. 2. In 1969, the Apollo 11 space mission, which included...
5 Fun Facts About July 14 In Florida History
1. Hurricane Charley made landfall in Florida on July 14, 2004, causing significant damage and claiming 10 lives. The storm reached peak winds of 150 mph and caused over $13 billion in damages. 2. On July 14, 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B....
5 Fun Facts About July 13 In Florida History
1. In 1962, NASA's Mariner 1 spacecraft was set to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida to explore Venus. However, a programming error caused the spacecraft to veer off course shortly after launch and it had to be destroyed. This incident is known as the "Mariner 1 Crash" and led to...
5 Fun Facts About July 12 In Florida History
1. On July 12, 1898, the first U.S. troops arrived in Tampa in preparation for the Spanish-American War. Thousands of soldiers passed through Tampa’s port during the war. 2. Florida’s first interstate highway, the Florida Turnpike, officially opened on July 12, 1957. The 47-mile stretch of highway connected Miami to...
5 Fun Facts About July 10 In Florida History
1. In 1929, the city of St. Petersburg was hit by a severe hurricane that caused significant damage to the area. The hurricane, known as the "Great Bahamas Hurricane," had winds of over 150 mph and caused extensive flooding and destruction. 2. In 1946, the University of Florida established its...
5 Fun Facts About July 8 In Florida History
1. On July 8, 1949, the Van Fleet Trail opened in Florida. The former rail bed was converted into a 29-mile trail for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. It is now a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the state. 2. In 1961, Alan Shepard, the first American to travel...
5 Fun Facts About July 7 In Florida History
1. In 1896, the town of Miami was incorporated, becoming the only major city in the United States to be founded by a woman, Julia Tuttle. 2. On July 7, 1938, the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables opened its doors to the public. The hotel was designed by famed...
5 Fun Facts About July 6 In Florida History
1. On July 6, 1919, the Florida State Board of Health reported the state's first recorded case of polio. 2. The SS Gulfamerica, a freighter carrying a load of benzene, exploded off the coast of Tampa on July 6, 1956, causing a fire that burned for over a day and...
5 Fun Facts About July 3 In Florida History
1. On July 3, 1863, the Battle of Fort Brooke took place in Tampa, Florida during the American Civil War. Union troops led by Brigadier General Truman Seymour attempted to capture the fort from Confederate forces, but were ultimately repelled. 2. In 1886, the Tampa Daily Times newspaper was first...
5 Fun Facts About July 1 In Florida History
1. Florida officially became a state: On July 1, 1845, Florida officially became the 27th state in the United States. Prior to that, it was a territory, and had undergone various changes in ownership and governance. 2. The first aviation disaster in Florida: On July 1, 1922, the first aviation...
5 Fun Facts About June 30 In Florida History
1. In 1908, The Tampa Bay Hotel, now known as the University of Tampa, opened its doors to the public. The extravagant building was created by railroad magnate Henry Plant and features intricate Moorish architecture. 2. On June 30, 1966, NASA launched the Gemini IX-A mission from Cape Canaveral. Astronauts...