2013 Event Swimmer Diana Nyad makes history, becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage Ibragim Todashev, a suspect under FBI questioning in Orlando, Florida, for his connections to the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, is shot dead after attacking an agent during the course of questioning An agent in Zephyrhills, Florida confirms they located the winner of a record-high Powerball jackpot of $590 million 2012 Event Votes in Florida are finalized, giving Barack Obama the winning number of electoral votes; this will be his second term as President of the United States At the National Convention in Tampa, Florida, the U.S. Republican Party nominates Mitt Romney as its candidate in the 2012 presidential election Twenty inches of rainfall in Escambia County, Florida damages roadways and bridges, and leaving parts of the Florida Panhandle and coastal Alabama under water Pensacola, Florida and adjacent areas experience widespread flooding after over 12 inches of rain falls on the area Evidence of citrus greening, a disease that has killed millions of citrus trees in Brazil and Florida, is found in a residential area of Los Angeles County, California 2011 Event Casey Anthony, cleared of murdering her daughter Caylee and set to be released from the Orange County, Florida jail, attracts major crowds unhappy with the judgement The U.S. Democratic National Committee appoints Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Chairwoman Florida's Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos Alvarez, and County commissioner Natacha Seijas are ousted in recall elections 2009 Death Chuck Daly, basketball coach, head coach, successful 14-year NBA career included leading Detroit Pistons to two NBA Championships, led Dream Team to win gold at 1992 Summer Olympics, dies at 78 in Jupiter, Florida 2008 Death Jerry Wexler, dies in Sarasota, Florida, of congestive heart failure, at 91 Bo Diddley, dies in Florida, of heart failure, at 79 Robert Rauschenberg, dies in Florida, of heart failure, at 82 Howard Metzenbaum, dies in Florida, at 90 2007 Death Al Oerter, dies in Florida, of heart failure, at 71 Bowie Kuhn, dies in Jacksonville, Florida, of respiratory failure, at 80 Anna Nicole Smith, dies in Hollywood, Florida, of drug overdose, at 39 E. Howard Hunt, dies at 88, of pneumonia in Florida George Smathers, dies in Florida, of a stroke, at 93 2004 Event World Series, Florida Marlins beat the New York Yankees 4 games to 2 Hurricane Ivan hits Alabama and Florida killing nearly 30 Hurricane Frances hits Florida, causing $40 billion in damage. 2000 Event Supreme Court halts Florida vote recount Elian Gonzalez is snatched by a SWAT team from his Florida relatives to return him to his father in Cuba 1998 Event Tornadoes in Florida kills at least 31 Florida Panther Dino Ciccarelli's is 9th NHLer to score 600 career goals All-Star Florida Marlin catcher Darren Daulton, retires 1997 Event Florida releases Alex Arias, the last original Marlin 1st Game at Washington Capitals' MCI Center vs. Florida Panthers Last original Florida Marlin, Jeff Conine, traded to Kansas City Royals World Series: Florida Marlins beat Cleveland Indians, 4 games to 3 Florida Marlins beat Atlanta Braves 4 games to 1 in NLCS Kevin Brown of Florida Marlins no hits San Francisco Giants 9-0 Susie Maroney, 22, of Australia, is 1st to swim from Cuba to Florida Howard Stern Radio Show premieres in Ft. Myers, Florida on WRXK 96.1 FM 1996 Event 62nd Heisman Trophy Award: Danny Wuerffel, Florida (quarterback) Howard Stern radio show premieres in West Palm Beach, Florida on WCLB 95.5 FM Howard Stern Radio Show premieres in Panama City, Florida on WTBB 97.7 FM Stanley Cup: Colorado Avalanche sweep Florida Panthers in 4 games Colorado Avalanche sweeps Florida Panthers by winning 1-0 in 6 periods Florida Marlin Al Leiter no hits Colorado Rockies, 11-0 Cheryl Depew, of Florida, crowned 13th Miss Hawaiian Tropic International 1995 Event Los Angeles Dodger Ramon Martinez no-hits the Florida Marlins 7-0 All star MVP: Jeff Conine (Florida Marlins) 1995 Death Krissy Taylor, born in Miami, Florida, model, sister of supermodel, Niki Taylor, dies of respitory problems at 17 Southwestern Florida outside of Tampa begins using new area code 941 1994 Event Howard Stern Radio Show premieres in Ft. Lauderdale / Miami, Florida on WBGG 105.9 FM Cbox is 39'115 long, 20'85 wide, and 8' high in Jacksonville, Florida Largest popcorn container is 6,619.76 cubic feet full of popped corn Howard Stern Radio Show premieres in Orlando, Florida on WTKS 104.1 FM Danny Harold Rolling, sentenced to death in Florida, for killing 5 1993 Event 59th Heisman Trophy Award: Charlie Ward, Florida State (quarterback) Florida Marlins 1st lost ever (4-2 to Los Angeles Dodgers) Florida Marlins 1st game - beat Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3 Florida Marlins introduce their mascot "Billy" Florida Marlins open their 1st spring training camp 1992 Event 58th Heisman Trophy Award: Gino Torretta, Miami, Florida (quarterback) 1992 Death Carl Barger, baseball President (Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins), dies at 62 Rene Lachemann hired as Florida Marlins 1st manager Leanza Cornett (Florida), 21, crowned 66th Miss America 1993 Hurricane Andrew hits South Florida; 35 die Ground breaking of Florida Marlins 7,500 seat spring training stadium Florida Marlins unveil their uniform Erie Sailors (Florida Marlin farm team) 1st game beat Jamestown 6-5 in 13 Florida Marlins begin selling tickets 1991 Event Florida Marlins sign their 1st player, 16 year old pitcher Clemente Nunez Actress Hedy Lamarr, 77, arrested for shoplifting in Florida Florida Marlins' logo unveiled Pittsburgh Pirate President Carl Barger becomes 1st President of Florida Marlins Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins given final approval by owners Lillian Cucuzza wins name Florida baseball team contest (Marlins) South Florida and Denver picked for 1993 NL franchises 1990 Event Blockbuster Bowl 1: Florida State beats Penn State, 24-17 3 members of 2 Live Crew acquitted on obsenity charges in Florida Florida record store owner Charles Freeman is found guilty of obsenity, for selling 2 Live Crew rap records Florida lottery goes over $100,000,000 1990 Death David Acer, Florida dentist, dies of AIDs after infecting 5 patients 2 slain college students found in Gainesville, Florida Florida Edwards, dies of pneumonia at 79 Members of 2 Live Crew formally charged with obscenity in Florida Florida passes a law prohibits wearing a throng bathing suit Rap group 2 Live crew members arrested in Florida for obscenity 1989 Death Ted Bundy, serial killer of up to 100 women, executed in Florida at 42 1988 Birthday Alexa Vega, born in Miami, Florida, actress, singer, pianist, appeared in 'Repo! the Genetic Opera', 'Spy Kids' trilogy films 1988 Death Florida Friebus, actress (Bob Newhart Show), dies of a stroke at 79 1988 Event Carlos Lehder Rivas, of Colombia's Medellin drug cartel, is convicted in Florida for smuggling more than 3 tons of cocaine into US 4,200 kg Colombian cocaine in seized at Tarpon Springs Florida 1987 Birthday Aaron Carter, born in Tampa, Florida, singer, album, 'Oh Aaron' features recording with older brother Nick, recorded, 'I Just Can't Wait to Be King' for the movie, 'The Lion King' 1987 Event NBA announces expansion to Charlotte North Carolina and Miami Florida in 1988 and Minneapolis Minnesota and Orlando Florida in 1989 1986 Event 52nd Heisman Trophy Award: Vinny Testaverde, Miami Florida (quarterback) 95-year-old woman scores a hole-in-one in Florida 1985 Birthday Sheeba Reiter, Florida, illegitimate daughter of Jackie Mason 1985 Event Cold wave damages 90 percent of Florida's citrus crop 1984 Birthday Mandy Moore, born in Orlando, Florida, singer, songwriter, actress, films include 'A Walk to Remember', teen pop albums include 'So Real, I Wanna Be with You' 1983 Death Mignon McLaughlin, journalist, author, contributed to Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Vogue magazines, Managing Editor, Glamour magazine, famous quote, 'Anything you lose automatically doubles in value', dies in Coral Gables, Florida 1983 Event 25th Ryder Cup: U.S., 14 -13 at PGA National Golf Club Florida Meyer Lansky, reputed mobster, dies in Miami Beach Florida at 80 1982 Event EPCOT Center opens in Orlando, Florida 1982 Birthday Jonathan Jackson, Orlando, Florida, actor, Lucky-General Hospital Air Florida 737 took off in a snowstorm, crashes into 14th St. Bridge in Washington, D.C., and falls into Potomac River, killing 78 1981 Event West Tampa Florida defeats Richmand Virgina, 6-4 to win American Legion World Series 1981 Birthday Cristin Duren, Miss Florida Teen USA, Miss Photogenic-1997 Beth Daniel wins LPGA Florida Lady Citrus Golf 1980 Birthday Brittney McConn, born in Largo, Florida, figure skater, 1997 Eastern Sr champ 1980 Event Major race riot in Miami Florida - 16 killed, 300 injured Monica Flammer, born in Gainesville, Florida, gymnast alternate for 1996 Olympics 1st Cubans of the Mariel boatlift sail to Florida Snow falls in Florida Kristy Powell, Florida, gymnast 1996 Olympics 1979 Birthday Brandi Siegel, born in Miami, Florida, rhythmic gymnast 1996 Olympics 1979 Event Jane Blalock wins LPGA Florida Lady Citrus Golf Tournament Kelly Gaudet, Miss Florida Teen USA 1996 1978 Birthday Mandy James, born in Jacksonville, Florida, rhythmic gymnast, US team-96 1978 Event Walter Poenisch completes swim of 207 km from Cuba to Florida Krissy Taylor, born in Miami, Florida, model, sister of supermodel, Niki Taylor Escaped mass murderer Ted Bundy recaptured, Pensacola, Florida 1978 Death Kimberly Leach, killed by Ted Bundy in Lake City Florida at 12 Theodore Bundy kills Florida State University coeds Lisa Levy and Margaret Bowman A. J. McLean, born in West Palm Beach, Florida, born Alexander James 'Alex' McLean, musician, singer, member of the Backstreet Boys, over 130 million albums sold 1977 Birthday Ashley Ryan Ruiz Offord, born in Miami, Florida, singer, Menudo-Cannonball Radek Dvorak, born in Tabor, Czechoslovakia, NHL left wing for the Florida Panthers Vince Carter, born in Daytona Beach, Florida, professional basketball player, shooting guard and small forward for Orlando Magic National Basketball Team 1976 Birthday Adita Linares, born in Miami, Florida, spanish actress, Clueless, Cookie Priscilla Taylor, born in Miami, Florida, playmate March, 1996 David Nemirovsky, Toronto, NHL right wing for the Florida Panthers Ed Jovanoski, born in Windsor, Ontario, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Kristin Alicia Beall Ludecke, Eustis, Florida, Miss America-Florida 1996 Cassidy Rae, Clarmont, Florida, actress, Sarah-Models Inc, Clarissa Eric DuBose, Bradenton, Florida, baseball pitcher 1996 Olympics bronze Jason Podollan, Vernon, NHL center for the Florida Panthers Rhett Warrener, Shaunavon, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers 1975 Birthday Tammy Cleland, Sanford, Florida, synchronized swimmer, 1996 Olympics gold Edgar Renteria, born in Barranquilla, Colombia, infielder for the Florida Marlins 1975 Event Disney EPCOT Center, Florida, plans announced Todd Macdonald, Charlestown, NHL goalie for the Florida Panthers Steve Washburn, born in Ottawa, NHL center for the Florida Panthers 1974 Event 41st Sugar Bowl: Nebraska 13 beats Florida 10 1974 Birthday Rob Niedermayer, Cassiar, NHL center for the Florida Panthers 1st World Football League Bowl, Birmingham Americans beat Florida Chris Mantilla, West Palm Beach, Florida, diver 1996 Olympics Jamie Lynn Bolding, born in Lakeland, Florida, Miss America-Florida 1997 Idalmis Marina Vidal, Miss Florida USA 1996 Eva Mendes, born in Miami, Florida, actress, known for movie, 'Training Day', and films, 'Hitch', 'The Spirit', 'We Own the Night' Lisa Marie Scott, Pensacola, Florida, playmate, Feb, 1994 Calvin Harrison, Orlando Florida, 200m/400m runner 1973 Birthday Trick Daddy, born in Miami, Florida, rapper, popular hits 'Let's Go', 'Shut Up', 'Thugs are Us' Marty Janzen, born in Miami, Florida, pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays Alex Gonzalez, born in Miami, Florida, infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays Brian Olson, born in Tallahassee, Florida, middleweight, 189 lbs, judoka, 1996 Olympics 1972 Birthday Mike Hampton, Brooksville, Florida, pitcher for the Houston Astros Martin Straka, Pizen, Czech Republic, NHL forward, Team Czech Republic, Florida Kurt Miller, born in Tucson, Arizona, pitcher for the Florida Marlins 1972 Event Republican convention (Miami Beach, Florida) renominates Vice President Agnew but not unanimous - 1 vote went to NBC newsman David Brinkley Republican convention opens in Miami Beach, Florida Democratic convention opens in Miami Beach Florida, McGovern Hurricane Agnes, kills 118 in New York and Florida Renee Heiken, Peoria, Illinois, LPGA golfer, 1994 Florida Women's Open Alesha Oreskovich, born in Tampa, Florida, playmate, Jun, 1993 Jill Savery, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, synchronized swimmer, 1996 Olympics gold Chipper Jones, born in Deland, Florida, infielder, Atlanta Braves Alex Ochoa, born in Miami, Florida, outfielder for the New York Mets John Rothell, Titusville Florida, 400m hurdler 34th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Florida 81-76 Melisa Moses, born in Jacksonville, Florida, diver, Olympics-4th-96 Jay Powell, Meridian MS, pitcher for the Florida Marlins 1971 Birthday Kristen Kane, born in Jacksonville, Florida, diver 1996 Olympics David Robert Duval, born in Jacksonville, Florida, PGA golfer, 1995 Bob Hope 1971 Event WXLT (now WWSB) TV channel 40 in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida (ABC) begins Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opens Charles Johnson, born in Fort Pierce, Florida, catcher, U.S. Olympics 1992, Marlins Racial disturbance in Jacksonville, Florida Bill Lindsay, Big Fork, NHL left wing for the Florida Panthers Ryan Hawblitzel, born in West Palm Beach, Florida, pitcher for the Colorado Rockies Otis Scott, born in Gainesville, Florida, 400m/800m runner WCJB TV channel 20 in Gainesville, Florida (ABC/NBC) begins broadcasting 3-judge U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Quilvio Veras, born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, infielder for the Florida Marlins Jesus Tavarez, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, outfielder for the Florida Marlins Amber Smith, born in Tampa, Florida, actress in Faithful, Funeral, Mirror Has 2 Faces 53rd PGA Championship: Jack Nicklaus shoots a 281 at PGA National Florida Jack Nicklaus wins his 2nd golf grand slam 1970 Birthday Stu Barnes, Spruce Grove, NHL center for the Florida Panthers 1970 Event Race riots in Daytona Beach Florida Dan Ratushny, Nepean, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Roger Bailey, born in Chattahoochee, Florida, pitcher for the Colorado Rockies Paul Laus, Beamsville, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Danny Ellis, Orlando, Florida, golfer, All-American-1990, 92, 93 Jim Courier, born in Sanford, Florida, tennis champ, 1990, 91 French Tim McRae, born in Daytona, Florida, 154 lbs, 70 kg, weightlifter, 1992, 1996 Olympics Bryce Florie, born in Charleston, Florida, pitcher for the San Diego Padres Doug Bochtler, born in West Palm Beach, Florida, pitcher for the San Diego Padres Ricardo Jordan, born in Delray Beach, Florida, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies Race riots in Miami, Florida Carl Everett, born in Tampa, Florida, baseball player, outfielder, played for Florida Marlins, Major League Baseball team, played for New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Montreal Expos, 2005 World Series Champion Ricky Gutierrez, born in Miami, Florida, infielder for the Houston Astros Javier De La Hoya, Mexican/U.S. baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins WSCV TV channel 51 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (IND) suspends broadcasting Nigel Wilson, Canadian/US baseball outfielder for the Florida Marlins 1969 Birthday Michelle McGann, West Palm Beach, Florida, golfer, 1995 Sara Lee Classic Robb Nen, San Pedro California, pitcher for the Florida Marlins Sam Militello, born in Tampa, Florida, pitcher, professional baseball player, played for the New York Yankees Cheryl Bachman, born in Jacksonville, Florida, playmate, October, 1991 Lee Anne Ketcham, Tallahassee, Florida, female pitcher, Silver Bullets 1969 Event Race riot in Jacksonville Florida Larry Thomas, born in Miami, Florida, pitcher, Chicago White Sox Brent Dorman, Ocala Florida, Canadian Tour golfer David Weathers, Lawrencburg, Tennessee, pitcher, Florida Marlins, New York Yankees Racial disturbances in Fort Lauderdale Florida Alex Fernandez, born in Miami Beach, Florida, pitcher, Chicago White Sox Jason Woolley, born in Toronto, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Greg Colbrunn, born in Fontana, California, infielder for the Florida Marlins Mark Telerico, born in Cleveland, Ohio, Canadian Tour golfer, 1994 S Florida Kurt Abbott, Zanesville, Ohio, infielder for the Florida Marlins Dexter Rogers, St. Petersburg, Florida, volleyball opposite hitter 1996 Olympics Carlos Reyes, born in Miami, Florida, pitcher for the Oakland A's Carlos Reyes, born in Miami, Florida, pitcher for the Oakland A's Geoff Smith, born in Edmonton, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Tim Clark, U.S. baseball outfielder for the Florida Marlins Kurt Abbott, U.S. baseball player for the Florida Marlins Jody Hull, Cambridge, NHL right wing for the Florida Panthers Bryan Jacob, Palatka, Florida, 59 kg, 130 lbs, weightlifter, 1992, 1996 Olympics Christina Marie Leardini, St. Petersburg, Florida, playmate, Apr, 1991 Roy Jones, Pensacola, Florida, Light-MW boxer 1988 Olympics silver Robert Svehla, born in Martin, Czechoslovakia, NHL defenseman, Florida Panthers, Slovakia 1968 Birthday Dean Palmer, Tallahassee, Florida, infielder for the Texas Rangers Shaun Stafford, Ocala Florida, tennis star, 1992 Taipei Derek Bell, Tampa Florida, outfielder for the Houston Astros 1968 Event WKID (WSCV) TV channel 51 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (IND) 1st broadcast Antonio Tarver, Orlando, Florida, light heavyweight boxer, Olympics-br-96 Gary Sheffield, born in Tampa, Florida, outfielder for the Florida Marlins Mark Fitzpatrick, Toronto, NHL goalie for the Florida Panthers Derek Bell, Tampa Florida, outfielder for the Houston Astros WTOG TV channel 44 in St. Petersburg-Tampa, Florida (IND) 1st broadcast Reggie Jefferson, Tallahassee, Florida, 1st baseman, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Seattle, Boston Tom Fitzgerald, Melrose, NHL right wing for the Florida Panthers Race riot in Miami, Florida Johan Garpenlov, born in Stockholm Sweden, NHL left wing for the Florida Panthers Samantha Leah Dorman, born in Lakeland, Florida, playmate, Sept, 1991 1st U.S. Teachers strike in Florida Ryan Bowen, U.S. baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins Rusty Meacham, Stuart, Florida, pitcher, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners 1967 Birthday Tino Martinez, born in Tampa, Florida, 1st baseman, Seattle Mariner, New York Yankees Alex Arias, New York City, infielder for the Florida Marlins Tom Gordon, Sebring, Florida, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox 1967 Event WLTV TV channel 23 in Miami, Florida (IND) begins broadcasting Yorkis Perez, Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, pitcher for the Florida Marlins WCIX TV channel 6 in Miami, Florida (CBS) begins broadcasting WSRE TV channel 23 in Pensacola, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting Luis Gonzalez, born in Tampa, Florida, outfielder for the Chicago Cubs Brian McRae, Bradenton, Florida, outfielder for the Chicago Cubs Mike James, born in Ft. Walton, Florida, pitcher for the California Angels Prison brawl ignites barracks, killing 37 (Jay, Florida) Pat Rapp, born in Jennings, Louisiana, pitcher for the Florida Marlins Race riot in Tampa Florida; National Guard mobilizes Rick Wilkins, born in Jacksonville, Florida, Richard Wilkins, baseball player, catcher, played Major League teams San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, also played for Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets Kathy Rinaldi-Stunkel, born in Florida, tennis player, Virginia Slims of Ark 1987 Dana Rinehart Dalton, born in Orlando, Florida, Miss Florida-America, 1991 1967 Death Roger Babson, entrepreneur, business theorist, attended MIT, predicted Wall Street Crash of 1929, published Babson's Reports, oldest investment newsletter in U.S., dies at age 91, in Lake Wales, Florida David Howard, Sarasota, Florida, infielder for the Kansas City Royals Gord Murphy, Willowdale, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Matt Turner, U.S. baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins Roger Rowland, born in Jacksonville, Florida, Nike golfer, 1990 Macon Open-2nd 1966 Birthday Joseph Barbara, New Symrna, Florida, actor, Joe Carlino-Another World Mark Whiten, Pensacola, Florida, outfielder, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees 1966 Event 32nd Heisman Trophy Award: Steve Spurrier, Florida (quarterback) Thomas Louis Tolles, Jr., Ft. Myers, Florida, PGA golfer, 1995 Bob Hope-3rd Alan Mills, Lakeland Florida, pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles Mike Walker, Brooksville, Florida, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers Hurricane Inez, kills 293 in Caribbean, Florida and Mexico WUSF TV channel 16 in Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida (PBS) 1st broadcast Jearl A Miles, born in Gainesville, Florida, 400m/long jumper, 1996 Olympics gold Tim Wakefield, Melbourne, Florida, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox Michael John Bradley, born in Largo, Florida, PGA golfer, 1993 Kemper Open-3rd Jeff Conine, born in Tacoma, Washington, outfielder for the Florida Marlins Miami beats St. Petersburg (Florida State League) 4-3 in 29 innings longest uninterrupted game in organized baseball Traylor Howard, born in Orlando, Florida, actress, Joy Byrnes-Boston Common Scott Mellanby, born in Montreal, NHL right wing for the Florida Panthers Ray Sheppard, Pembroke, NHL right wing for the Florida Panthers WTVX TV channel 34 in Ft. Pierce-Vero Beach, Florida (IND) 1st broadcast Terry Carkner, born in Smiths Falls, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Tracy Kerdyk, born in Coral Gables, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1995 JAL Big Apple Richie Lewis, U.S. baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins Chris Hammond, U.S. baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins 1965 Birthday Scott Edward Gump, Rockledge, Florida, PGA golfer, 1991 International-2nd Jay Bell, Eglin AFB, Florida, infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates Rob Natal, born in Long Beach, California, catcher for the Florida Marlins Leigh Ann Mills, Melbourne, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1985 Mazda Champions Al Leiter, Toms River, New Jersey, pitcher, Florida Marlins, New York Mets Jill Powell, born in Jacksonville, Florida, actress, Marcy-As The World Turns 1965 Event Hurricane Betsy strikes Florida and Louisiana kills 75 Hurricane Betsy kills 75 in Louisiana and Florida Hurricane Betsy, kills 74 in Florida, Miss and La David Robinson, born in Florida, NBA center, San Antonio Spurs, Olympics gold 92 WLCY (now WTSP) TV channel 10 in St. Petersburg-Tampa, Florida (ABC) begins Mitch Richmond, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, NBA guard, Sac Kings, 1988, 1996 Olympics WMFE TV channel 24 in Orlando, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting Kevin Brown, born in Mcintyre, Georgia, pitcher for the Florida Marlins Carrot Top, Florida, comedian, American Comedy Award-1994 Dave Lowry, Sudbury, NHL left wing for the Florida Panthers Olivia Barash, born in Miami, Florida, actress, Laura-Out of the Blue 1964 Birthday Craig Grebeck, Cerritos California, infielder for the Florida Marlins John Burkett, New Brighton, Pennsylvania, pitcher for the Florida Marlins Dwight Gooden, born in Tampa, Florida, pitcher, New York Yankees, New York Mets Lenny Harris, born in Miami, Florida, infielder for the Cincinnati Reds Terry Mathews, Alexandria, Louisiana, pitcher for the Florida Marlins Guy Donald Boros, born in Ft. Laud, Florida, PGA golfer, 1994 Deposit Guaranty-3rd Joe Durant, born in Pensacola, Florida, Nike golfer, 1992 Boise Open-7th Woody Austin, born in Tampa, Florida, PGA golfer, 1995 Buick Open 1963 Birthday Dwight Smith, Tallahassee, Florida, outfielder, Atlanta Braves Fred McGriff, born in Tampa, Florida, infielder, Atlanta Braves Donna Wilkins, born in Miami, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1987 S&H Golf Classic-5th John Vanbiesbrouck, born in Detroit, Michigan, NHL goalie, Team USA, Florida Brian Skrudland, NHL center for the Florida Panthers Pamela Annette Sanders, born in Miami, Florida, playmate, November, 1985 Mike Stanley, born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, catcher, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox Jay B Cooper, Coral Gables, Florida, Canadian Tour golfer, 1992 Jamaica Rich Monteleone, born in Tampa, Florida, pitcher for the California Angels Magnus Svensson, Leksand Swe, NHL defenseman for the Florida Panthers Matias Carrillo, Mexican/U.S. baseball outfielder for the Florida Marlins Bonnie Levin, Miami Beach, Florida, WPVA volleyballer Mike Hough, Montreal, NHL left wing for the Florida Panthers Felita Carr, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, dance skater, & Komarov-1995 Pac Champ 1962 Birthday Devon White, Kingston Jamacia, outfielder for the Florida Marlins Morgan Reeser, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 470 yachter, Olympic-8th-1992, 96 Danny Tartabull, born in Miami, Florida, outfielder, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox Dave Magadan, born in Tampa, Florida, 1st baseman, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs Laurie Rinker-Graham, Stuart, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1986 LPGA Corning Wesley Snipes, born in Orlando, Florida, actor, New Jack City, Passenger 57 Jody Reed, born in Tampa, Florida, infielder for the San Diego Padres Terry-Jo Myers, born in Ft. Myers, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1988 Mayflower Classic Jay Barrs, born in Jacksonville, Florida, archer, Gold Medals 1988, 1992, 1996 Olympics 1962 Event WSEC (now WLRN) TV channel 17 in Miami, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting Joe Orsulak, Glen Ridge, New Jersey, outfielder for the Florida Marlins Robby Thompson, W Palm Beach, Florida, infielder for the San Francisco Giants Jeanne Golay, born in Coral Gables, Florida, cyclist, Olympics-16th-92, 96 Billy Dean, born in Quincy, Florida, country singer, Billy the Kid Patrick Thomas Burke, born in Hollywood, Florida, PGA golfer, 1992 BellSouth-6th Due to it's no black policy, Phillies leave Jack Tar Harrison Hotel and move to Rocky Point Motel, 20 miles outside Clearwater, Florida Sheila Cornell, Encino, Florida, softball infielder, 1996 Olympics gold Joe Handle, U.S. baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins Mark Gardner, U.S. baseball player for the Florida Marlins 1961 Event WPLG TV channel 10 in Miami, Florida (ABC) begins broadcasting 1961 Birthday Mark Bucek, Winter Pak, Florida, Nike golfer, 1994 Gary Player Tour Billy Taylor, Monticello, Florida, pitcher for the Oakland A's Dot Richardson, Orlando, Florida, softball infielder, 1996 Olympics gold Danny Sheaffer, born in Jacksonville, Florida, catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals Joan Delk, born in Tampa, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1995 First Bank Edina Realty-66th Ian Doig, born in Seaforth, Ontario, Canadian Tour golfer, 1985 Florida Classic Lynne Austin, born in Plant City, Florida, playmate, Jul, 1986 Gina Hull, born in Jacksonville, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1989 USX Golf Classic-8th 1960 Birthday Terri Garber, born in Miami, Florida, actress, Leslie Carrington-Dynasty Lee Cross Rinker, Stuart, Florida, PGA golfer, 1995 Greater Milwaukee-6th Damon Green, Pensacola, Florida, Nike golfer, 1990 Pensacola Open-49th Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard, Apopka, Florida, country singer, Betty's Bein' Bad 1960 Event WFSU TV channel 11 in Tallahassee, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting Race riot in Jacksonville Florida Terry Pendleton, born in Los Angeles, California, infielder for the Florida Marlins Barbara Bierman, born in Miami, Florida, WPVA volleyballer, U.S. Open-13th-1994 Jack Daugherty, born in Hileyah, Florida, professional baseball player, outfielder, played for the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos Patti Rizzo, born in Hollywood, Florida, golfer, Mexican Amateur champion 1980 Mark Sanford, born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, politician, Republican, 115th Governor of South Carolina, U.S. Air Force Reserve medical administration officer Linden Ashby, born in Atlantic Beach, Florida, actor, television, films, known for role of Johnny Cage in the movie 'Mortal Kombat' Fiona Hutchison, born in Miami, Florida, actress, One Life to Live, Guiding Light 1959 Birthday Mark Dickson, born in Tampa, Florida, tennis star Marty Raybon, Sanford, Florida, singer, Shenandoah-Sunday in the South Razor Ramon, Scott Hall, wrestler, WWF/WCW/NWA/Florida/AWA/KC Victoria Jackson, born in Miami, Florida, actress, Casual Sex, SNL, UHF Wendy B. Lawrence, born in Jacksonville, Florida, astronaut, STS-67, 86, sk:91 1959 Event 1st official "missile mail" lands, Jacksonville, Florida Bob Patterson, born in Jacksonville, Florida, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs Jim Eisenreich, born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins Dean Townson, born in St. Petersburg, Florida, singer, Pirates of Miss-Fred Jake Victoria Jackson, born in Miami, Florida, comedian, SNL, Casual Sex Chandra Cheesborough, born in Jacksonville, Florida, 4X100 runner, Olympics gold 84 1958 Birthday Carlos Carson, born in Lake Worth, Florida, football player, wide receiver, played in ten National Football League seasons, from 1980 to 1989, all time Pro Bowl NFL player Rick Pearson, Marianna, Florida, Nike golfer, 1990 Yuma Open 1958 Event WUFT TV channel 5 in Gainesville, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting WEDU TV channel 3 in Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting WJCT TV channel 7 in Jacksonville, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting Aaron Tippin, born in Pensacola, Florida, singer, You've Got to Stand for Something Glen Stewart Godwin, born in Miami, Florida, murderer, FBI Most Wanted WFTV TV channel 9 in Orlando, Florida (ABC) begins broadcasting 1957 Birthday Connie Chillemi, Eglin AFB, Florida, golfer, 1994 Standard Register-13th Christina Smith, born in Miami, Florida, playmate, Mar, 1978 1957 Event WTLV TV channel 12 in Jacksonville, Florida (ABC/NBC) begins broadcasting Pam Tillis, born in Plant City, Florida, singer, country music genre, daughter of Mel Tillis, album, 'Put Yourself in My Place' certified gold by the RIAA Larry Rinker, born in Stuart, Florida, Nike golfer, 1985 Bing Crosby Pro-Am-2nd Alan Campbell, born in Homestead, Florida, actor, E Z-3's a Crowd 1956 Birthday Betsy Nagelsen, St. Petersburg, Florida, tennis star Rex Smith, born in Jacksonville, Florida, actor, Solid Gold, Pirates of Penzance Colleen Walker, born in Jacksonville, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1988 Mazda Champions Wes Chandler, Florida, WLAF wide receiver coach for the Rhein Fire Delta Burke, born in Orlando, Florida, actress, Suzanne-Designing Women 1956 Event WCKT (now WSVN) TV channel 7 in Miami, Florida (IND) begins broadcasting Bus boycott begins in Tallahassee, Florida WESH TV channel 2 in Daytona Beach-Orlando, Florida (NBC) 1st broadcast 1955 Event WCTV TV channel 6 in Tallahassee-Thomasville, Florida (CBS) begins 1955 Birthday Kenneth Carr, born in Clearwater, Florida, basketball player 1976 Olympics gold WPBT TV channel 2 in Miami, Florida (PBS) begins broadcasting Tree Rollins, born in Winter Haven, Florida, NBA center, Cleveland Cavaliers Laura Baugh, Gainesville, Florida, LPGA golfer, 1994 Youngstown Classic-9th Stan Lynch, Gainesville, Florida, rock drummer, Tommy Petty and Heartbreakers WTVT TV channel 13 in Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida (CBS) 1st broadcast Fernando Bujones, born in Miami, Florida, ballet dancer WFLA (now WXFL) TV channel 8 in Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida (NBC) begins Mimi Rogers, born in Coral Gables, Florida, actress, Paper Dolls, The Rousters WEAT (now WPEC) TV channel 12 in West Palm Beach, Florida (CBS) begins 1954 Birthday John Anderson, born in Apopka, Florida, country singer and actor, Lone Wolf McQuade JoAnne Russell, born in Miami, Florida, tennis player, Wibeldon Double 1977 Benmont Tench, born in Gainesville, Florida, rock keyboardist, Heartbreakers 1954 Event WPTV TV channel 5 in Palm Beach, Florida (NBC) begins broadcasting Henriette Allais, born in Jacksonville, Florida, playmate, Mar, 1980 Andre Dawson, born in Miami, Florida, outfielder, Expos, Cubs, 1987 NL MVP WDBO (now WCPX) TV channel 6 in Orlando, Florida (CBS) begins broadcasting John Kimmel, born in East Orange, New Jersey, John C. Kimmel, horse trainer, trained at University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, trained famous horses, Better Than Honour, Premium Tap, wins include Florida Derby, 2004, Pennsylvania Derby, 2007, among others Charles T. Canady, born in Lakeland, Florida, Representative-R-Florida 1993 - 2001 Nancy Stafford, born in Wilton Manors, Florida, Miss Florida, 1977 (1976), actress, Michelle Thomas, Matlock; Joan-St. Elsewhere Jeff Apple, born in Miami, Florida, producer, In the Line of Fire WEAR TV channel 3 in Pensacola-Mobile, Florida (ABC) begins broadcasting 1953 Birthday Betty Wright, born in Miami, Florida, singer, rhythm and blues, soul music, influenced the world of hip hop, sang with Alice Cooper, Gloria Estefan, song Shoorah! Shoorah!, used in movie Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 1953 Event WJHG TV channel 7 in Panama City, Florida (NBC/ABC) begins broadcasting N Jan Davis, Cocoa Beach Florida, PhD/astronaut, STS-47, 60, 85 Billy Thomas, Ft. Meyers, Florida, singer, McBride and Ride-I Count on You Warren Cromartie, born in Miami Beach, Florida, professional baseball player, outfielder, first baseman, played with the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos Kathie Lee Gifford, Paris, Florida, hostess, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee Diana Canova, West Palm Beach, Florida, actress, Corrine-Soap WSUN TV channel 38 in St. Petersburg-Tampa, Florida (IND) 1st broadcast Jeb Bush, politician, born in Midland, Texas, 43rd Governor of Florida, younger brother of former President George W. Bush 1952 Birthday "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Poffo, Sarasota, Florida, wrestler, WWF/SMW/ICW Dave Collins, born in Rapid City, South Dakota, professional baseball player, outfielder, first base coach for the Florida Marlins 1951 Death Harry T Moore, Florida NAACP official, killed by bomb 1951 Birthday Stephen Root, born in Sarasota, Florida, actor, films include, 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?', 'The Ladykillers', television appearances include, '24', True Blood' Richard Chaves, born in Jacksonville, Florida, actor, Cease Fire, Predator Mark McCumber, born in Jacksonville, Florida, Mark Randall McCumber, golfer, won PGA tour ten times, won World Cup of Golf for the United states with Ben Crenshaw, golf analyst for Fox Sports, golf course architect Jimmy Farrar, born in Jacksonville, Florida, rock vocalist, Molly Hatchet Larry Black, born in Miami, Florida, 4x100 runner, Gold Medal 1972 Olympics 1951 Event Babe Didrikson Zaharias wins Orlando Florida 2 Ball Golf Tournament 1950 Birthday Kathryn Witt, born in Miami, Florida, actress, Lenny, Pam-Flying High Dan Peck, Panama City, Florida, rock vocalist and guitarist, America David Bellamy, born in Darby, Florida, singer, Bellamy Bros-Let Your Love Flow, 1950 Event 98.3 cm rainfall at Yankeetown, Florida (state record) Winston E Scott, born in Miami, Florida, USN Commander/astronaut, STS-72, 87 William H. Macy, born in Miami, Florida, actor, Homicide, Water Engine Jack Youngblood, born in Jacksonville, Florida, professional football player, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, voted into College Football Hall of Fame 1949 Birthday Brad Davis, Tallahassee, Florida, actor, Roots, Chiefs, Midnight Express 1949 Event WJXT TV channel 4 in Jacksonville, Florida (CBS) begins broadcasting Sheralee, born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, vocalist, Your Hit Parade Lightning strikes a baseball field in Florida, kills SS and 3rd baseman WTVJ TV channel 4 in Miami, Florida (NBC/CBS) begins broadcasting Lawrence Kasdan, born in Miami, Florida, director and writer, Accidental Tourist 1948 Birthday Joe Dallesandro, Pensicola, Florida, actor, Heat, Trash, AW Frankenstein Bo Rucker, born in Tampa, Florida, actor, Superman, Soup for One, Lock Up 1947 Birthday Don Gelder, Gainesville, Florida, rocker, Eagles 1946 Birthday Walter "Clyde" Orange, Florida, rocker, Commodores-Too Hot to Trot Corrine Brown, born in Jacksonville, Florida, Representative-D-Florida 1993 - Gram Paarson, Cecil Connor, Winter Haven, Florida, rocker, Byrds Ben Vereen, born in Miami, Florida, actor/dancer, Pippin, Roots, Webster Howard Bellamy, Darby, Florida, vocalist, Bellamy Bros-Let Your Love Flow 1945 Event "Lost Squadron" crashes east of Florida (Bermuda Triangle) 1945 Birthday Everett McGill, Miami Beach, Florida, actor, Jezebel's Kiss, Silver Bullet James G Richardson, Gainesville, Florida, actor, Tim Cassidy-Sierra 1944 Birthday Bill McCollum, born in Brooksville, Florida, Representative-R-Florida 1981 - 1993 and 1993 - 2001 Jim Stafford, Eloise, Florida, singer, Spiders and Snakes, My Girl Bill 1943 Birthday Dickey Betts, West Palm Beach, Florida, guitarist, Allman Bros-Ramblin' Man Jim Morrison, born in Melbourne, Florida, singer, Doors Paula Kelly, born in Jacksonville, Florida, dancer/actress, Liz-Night Court Samuel T Durrance, Tallahassee, Florida, PhD/astronaut, STS-35, STS-67 Lawrence Elkins, football player Florida for the Houston Oilers Norman E. Thagard, born in Marianna, Florida, MD/astronaut, STS-7, 51-B, 30, 42, 71, Mir 1942 Birthday Robert L. Hayes, born in Jacksonville, Florida, 100m/4x100m runner, 2 Gold Medals 1964 Olympics Bill Nelson,born in Miami, Florida, Representative-D-Florida 1979 - 1991, Senator-D-Florida 2001 -, astronaut, STS-61C Robin Morgan, Lake Worth, Florida, actress, Dagmar-Mama 1942 Event Premier Churchill and General Marshall fly to Florida 1941 Birthday Bobby Goldsboro, Marianna, Florida, singer, Honey [Dorothy] Faye Dunaway, Bascom, Florida, actress, Chinatown, Bonnie and Clyde 1940 Birthday Bill Kurtis, Pensacola, Florida, newscaster, American Parade Lewis Spratlan, born in Miami, Florida, composer, contemporary classical music genre, Professor of Music Emeritus, Amherst College 1939 Birthday Thalmus Rasulala, Jack Crowder, born in Miami, Florida, actor, Blacula, Roots Terrence McNally, St. Petersburg, Florida, playwright, Bad Habits Elizabeth Ashley, Cole, Ocala Florida, actress, Coma, Evening Shade Henry Lawrence Garett III, born in Miami, Florida, Sect of Navy, 1989 - 1992 Gary Bonds, born in Florida, singer and songwriter, New Orleans Ray Aranha, born in Miami, Florida, actor, Nick-Married People Ellen Taafe Zwilich, born in Miami, Florida, 1st woman composer Pulitzer 1982 E. Clay Shaw, Jr., born in Miami, Florida, Representative-R-Florida 1981 - 2007 William Benjamin Lenoir, born in Miami, Florida, astronaut, STS-5 Murle Breer, born in St. Petersburg, Florida, professional golfer 1938 Birthday Chris Robinson, Florida, actor, Stanley, General Hospital, Another World Jo Ann Campbell, born in Jacksonville, Florida, Lawrence Welk's champagne lady Johnny Tillotson, born in Jacksonville, Florida, singer, Gidget, Poetry in Motion 1937 Birthday Johnny Brown, born in St. Petersburg, Florida, comedian, Good Times, Leslie Uggams 1936 Birthday Bob Graham, Sen-D Florida Alcee Hastings, born in Altamonte Springs, Florida, Representative-D-Florida, 1993 - Wally Amos, born in Tallahassee, Florida, actor, speaker, co-wrote, 'The Power in You', founder, 'Famous Amos' chocolate chip cookie brand, first African-American talent agent, represented Diana Ross & the Supremes, Simon & Garfunkel Nancy Dussault, born in Pensacola, Florida, actress, Muriel-Too Close for Comfort Andrew Pine, Jennings, Florida, actor, V, WEB, Wide Country 1935 Birthday Sam Moore, born in Miami, Florida, rock vocalist, Sam and Dave-Soul Sister 1935 Event A hurricane slams Florida Keys killing 423 Monte Markham, born in Manatee, Florida, actor, Second Hundred Years, Dallas Fort Jefferson National Monument in Florida established 1934 Birthday Bob Martinez, born in America, served as Mayor of Tampa, Florida and 40th Governor of Florida, initiated Preservation 2000, America's largest environmental land acquisition program, appointed Drug Czar by President George H.W. Bush 1934 Death Frederick Delius, English composer (Suite Florida), dies at 72 Pat Boone, Florida, singer and actor, April Love, Cross and Switchblade Bobby Lord, Sanford, Florida, country singer, Ozark Jubilee 1933 Birthday Don Fuqua, born in Jacksonville, Florida, Representative-D-Florida 1967 - 1987 Buddy MacKay, born in Ocala, Florida, Representative-D-Florida 1983 - 1989, Governor of Florida 1998 - 1999 1932 Birthday Mel Tillis, born in Tampa, Florida, country singer, Who's Julie, M-M-Mel 1931 Birthday Jack Sheldon, born in Jacksonville, Florida, actor, Run Buddy Run, Merv Griffin 1931 Event 109 degrees F (43 degrees C), Monticello, Florida (state record) Canned rattlesnake meat 1st goes on sale in Florida Lee Hamilton, born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Representative-D-Indiana 1965 - 1999 1930 Birthday Carl Barger, Lewistown Pennsylvania, baseball President, Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins Gerald B. H. Solomon, born in Okeechobee, Florida, Representative-R-New York 1979 - 1999 Michael Bilirakis, born in Tarpon Springs, Florida, Representative-R-Florida 1983 - 2007 Lawton Chiles, Florida Senator 1971 - 1989, Governor of Florida 1991 - 1998, Democrat Ricou Browning, Florida, director/actor, Thunderball 1929 Birthday Rokie Roker, born in Miami, Florida, actress, Helen-Jeffersons 1928 Event Hurricane hits Lake Okeechobee Florida drowning 1,800-2500 Hurricane hits West Palm Beach-Lake Okeechobee Florida; 3,000 die Hurricane in Florida, kills 6,000 1928 Birthday Reubin Askew, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Reubin O'Donovan Askew, politician, Democratic Party, Governor of Florida 1971 - 1979, U.S. Trade Representative 1979 - 1981 Julian E "Cannonball" Adderley, born in Tampa, Florida, jazz musician, Black Messiah 1927 Birthday Patrick O'Neal, Ocala, Florida, actor, Kaz, Alvarez Kelly, King Rat 1926 Event Hurricane hits Miami and Palm Beach Florida; about 450 die Hurricane in Florida and Alabama, kills 372 1926 Birthday Mary Stuart, born in Miami, Florida, actress, Jo-Search for Tomorrow Carrie P. Meek, born in Tallahassee, Florida, Representative-D-Florida 1993 - 2003 International Greyhound Racing Association formed (Miami, Florida) 1925 Birthday Jordan Klein, born in Miami, Florida, cameraman/director, Thunderball 1922 Birthday Esther Rolle, Pompano Beach, Florida, actress, Florida-Good Times, Maude Willam V. Chappell, Jr., born in Kendrick, Florida, Representative-D-Florida 1969 - 1989 1921 Event 1st transcontinental flight in 24 hours flying time arrives Florida 1920 Birthday Sam Gibbons, born in Tampa, Florida, Representative-D-Florida 1963 - 1997 1919 Birthday Charles H. Percy, born in Pensacola, Florida, Senator-R-Illinois 1967 - 1985 1916 Birthday Judy Canova, born in Jacksonville, Florida, comedienne/actress, Cannonball 1915 Birthday Billy Daniels, born in Jacksonville, Florida, singer, Billy Daniels Show 1914 Birthday Carey Lofton, Blountsville, Florida, actor, Skinner-Troubleshooters 1913 Birthday George Smathers, born in New Jersey, American lawyer, politician, U.S. Senator from Florida Frances Langford, born in Lakeland, Florida, singer, Armed Forces Hour, Star Time 1912 Birthday Machito "Frank Grillo", Florida, bandleader, created salsa music 1911 Birthday John Archibald Wheeler, born in Florida, American theoretical physicist, coined terms black hole, wormhole Butterfly McQueen, Thelma, born in Tampa, Florida, actress, 'Gone With the Wind' 1909 Birthday Florida Friebus, actress, Dobie Gillis' mom, Bob Newhart Show George W. Crockett, Jr., born in Jacksonville, Florida, Representative-D-Michigan 1980 - 1991 1903 Event 1st national bird reservation established in Sebastian, Florida 1902 Birthday Stepin Fetchit, Lincoln Perry, Florida, actor, Miracle in Harlem 1901 Event Fire destroyed 1,700 buildings in Jacksonville, Florida 1900 Birthday Roy Roberts, born in Tampa, Florida, actor, Petticoat Junction, Lucy Show 1899 Birthday Evelyn Brent, born in Tampa, Florida, actress, Panama Lady, Last Coomand 1899 Event -2 degrees F (-19 degrees C) Tallahassee, Florida (state record) 1885 Birthday Charles E. Merrill, American Businessman, born in Green Cove Springs, Florida Benito Lynch, Irish/Argentine writer, Caranchos de la Florida 1881 Event Hurricane hits Florida and Carolinas; about 700 die 1873 Birthday John Rosamond Johnson, Florida, co-composer, Lift Every Voice and Sing 1871 Birthday James Weldon Johnson, lawyer, 1st black admitted to Florida Bar 1868 Event Conservatives and military, seize Convention Hall in Florida Florida constitutional convention meets in Tallahassee 1866 Event President Johnson ends war in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia 1865 Event Battle of Bluff Spring, Florida Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida 1864 Event Naval Engagement at Bahia Harbor Brazil-CSS Florida vs USS Wachusett Civil War battle of Olustee, Florida Federal troops occupy Jacksonville, Florida 1863 Event Battle of Pensacola Florida - evacuated by Federals 1862 Event Union troops under Brigadier-General Wright occupy Fernandina Florida Battle of Ft. McRee, Florida Battle of Port Royal, South Carolina (Port Royal Ferry) 1861 Event St. Augustine Florida surrenders to Union armies Confederate constitutional convention meets for 1st time in Montgomery, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina elect Jefferson Davis President of Confederacy Florida becomes 3rd state to secede from US Florida troops takeover Ft. Marion at St. Augustine Florida troops seize Federal arsenal at Apalachicola 1860 Death Heinrich Florida Rellstab, German music theorist, dies 1845 Event Florida becomes 27th state 1842 Event Seminole War ends; Indians removed from Florida to Oklahoma 1839 Event Seminoles and black allies shipped from Tampa Bay Florida, to West 1836 Event Battle of Wetumka, Florida 1824 Birthday Edmund Kirby Smith, Florida, General Confederate Army 1822 Event Congress combined East and West Florida into Florida Territory 1821 Event Spain cedes Florida to U.S. Spain sells eastern Florida to United States for $5 million 1820 Event Spain sells part of Florida to U.S. for $5 million 1819 Event Spain renounces claims to Oregon Country, Florida (Adams-Onis Treaty) 1818 Event General Andrew Jackson captures Pensacola Florida General Andrew Jackson conquers St. Marks Florida from Seminole indians 1817 Event U.S. soldiers attack Florida Indian village, beginning Seminole War 1st Seminole War begins in Florida 1810 Event U.S. annexes West Florida from Spain U.S. annexes western Florida 1715 Event Spanish gold and silver fleet disappears off St. Lucie, Florida 10 Spanish treasure galleons sinks off Florida coast by hurricane 1702 Event English troops plunder St. Augustine, Florida 1622 Event Spanish silver fleet disappears off Florida Keys; 1,000s die 1566 Event St. Augustine, Florida founded 1565 Event Spaniards capture Fort Caroline Florida and massacre the French 1st permanent settlement in U.S. forms (St. Augustine, Florida) 1561 Event King Philip II of Spain forbids Spanish settlements in Florida 1539 Event Hernando De Soto claims Florida for Spain Spanish explorer Fernando de Soto discovers Florida Hernando de Soto lands in Florida 1528 Event Spanish fleet sinks in Florida hurricane; about 380 die Panfilo the Narvaez begins exploration to with 350 men to Florida 1527 Event Panfilo de Narvaez departs to explore Florida 1519 Birthday Pedro Menendez de Aviles, explorer, found St. Augustine Florida 1513 Event Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain Florida discovered, claimed for Spain by Ponce de Leon Spaniard Juan Ponce de Leon discovers Florida 1492 Event Columbus misses Florida when he changed course 1460 Birthday Ponce de Leon, Spain, searched for fountain of youth, found Florida
