Today In History
5 Fun Facts About May 26 In Florida History
1. In 1909, the first aviation record in Florida was set on May 26th by aviator Glenn Curtiss, who flew his plane from Tampa to St. Petersburg in 23 minutes, marking the first successful commercial flight in the United States. 2. On May 26, 1941, Miami Beach's famed Fontainebleau Hotel...
5 Fun Facts About May 25 In Florida History
1. In 1819, Florida was officially transferred from Spain to the United States in a ceremony held in St. Augustine. This marked the end of Spanish rule in Florida and the beginning of American territorial rule. 2. In 1935, a hurricane struck the Florida Keys, causing widespread damage and devastation....
5 Fun Facts About May 24 In Florida History
1. On May 24, 1980, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was reopened in Tampa Bay. The original bridge was hit by a freighter in 1980, causing a portion of it to collapse and killing 35 people. The new bridge was built higher and stronger to prevent future accidents. 2. May 24,...
5 Fun Facts About May 23 In Florida History
1. In 1639, the Spanish governor of Florida, Don Benito de Acevedo, began construction on Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. The fort still stands today as the oldest masonry fort in the United States. 2. On May 23, 1901, the first public library in Miami was opened in...
5 Fun Facts About May 22 In Florida History
1. In 1824, the first steamship to sail in Florida arrived in St. Augustine. Known as the Enterprise, the ship was used for transportation and trade. 2. In 1856, the first railroad in Florida was completed. The Tallahassee Railroad connected the state capital to the Gulf of Mexico, making it...
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...