Today In History
5 Fun Facts About May 20 In Florida History
1. On May 20, 1987, a rare EF4 tornado struck the town of Okeechobee, Florida, causing extensive damage and leaving 25 people dead. It remains one of the deadliest tornadoes in Florida's history. 2. In 2018, the state of Florida banned the practice of greyhound racing on May 20, effectively...
5 Fun Facts About May 19 In Florida History
1. In 1910, the historic Tampa Theater officially opened its doors to the public. The iconic venue was designed in a Mediterranean Revival style and has become a beloved cultural landmark in the city of Tampa. 2. On May 19, 1979, Miami experienced one of its most violent riots in...
5 Fun Facts About May 16 In Florida History
1. In 1960, Truett Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. The chain now has over 2,500 locations across the United States, including many in Florida. 2. In 1987, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida was struck by a cargo ship, causing a 1,200-foot section of...
5 Fun Facts About May 15 In Florida History
1. On May 15, 1842, the Armed Occupation Act was signed into law, granting settlers who agreed to bear arms the right to settle on public lands in Florida. This led to an increase in migration to Florida and the development of many settlements. 2. In 1863, during the Civil...
5 Fun Facts About May 14 In Florida History
1. On May 14, 1856, the first court session in Brevard County was held in Titusville. The county was named after Theodore Washington Brevard, a Florida state controller who served from 1854 to 1860. 2. In 1964, NASA launched the first spacecraft with people aboard, the Gemini 3. The spacecraft...
5 Fun Facts About May 12 In Florida History
1. On May 12, 1822, the United States officially assumed control over all of Florida, which had previously been under Spanish control. This transition marked the beginning of a new era for the state, with American settlers and a new government taking over. 2. May 12, 1909, saw the signing...
5 Fun Facts About May 11 In Florida History
Here are five interesting facts about May 11 in the history of Florida: 1. On May 11, 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico, which led to Florida's Fort Brooke being renamed Fort Brooke in honor of the founder of Tampa, Florida. 2. In 1886, the Florida State Board...
5 Fun Facts About May 10 In Florida History
1. In 1842, the Treaty of Payne's Landing was signed on May 10 between the Seminole Indians and the United States government. The treaty was aimed at removing the Seminole Indians from Florida and relocating them to Indian Territory. 2. On May 10, 1865, Union General Edward M. McCook formally...
5 Fun Facts About May 9 In Florida History
1. Cuban Independence Day: May 9 is celebrated as Cuban Independence Day in Florida as it commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1902 which ended the Spanish-American War and granted Cuba independence. 2. Citrus Industry: May 9, 1911, was a significant date in Florida's citrus history. A...
5 Fun Facts About May 8 In Florida History
1) On May 8, 1821, Florida became a territory of the United States, following the transfer of the territory from Spain as part of the Adams-Onis Treaty. 2) In 1895, the Florida State Capitol building was completed on May 8, after four years of construction. It was designed by architect...
5 Fun Facts About May 7 In Florida History
1. In 1824, the town of Quincy was incorporated in Florida. It was named after John Quincy Adams, who at the time was serving as the Secretary of State. 2. On May 7, 1896, construction began on the Tampa Bay Hotel. The hotel, which cost $2.5 million to build, was...
5 Fun Facts About May 6 In Florida History
1. On May 6, 1915, the city of Miami officially incorporated. The city had been established a few years earlier, but this date marked its official recognition as a government entity. 2. On May 6, 1940, a devastating fire broke out in the Tamiami Airport Hangar in Miami. The fire...