Florida History
Florida Guide
Florida History
Florida State Information
| State of Florida | |
| Florida State Official Language(s) | English |
| Florida State Spoken Language(s) | English and Spanish |
| Florida State Demonym | Floridian |
| Florida State Capital | Tallahassee |
| Florida State Largest City | Jacksonville |
| Florida State Largest Metro Area | South Florida metropolitan area |
| Florida State Area | Ranked 22nd in the US |
| - Total | 65,795 sq mi (170,304 km2) |
| - Width | 361 miles (582 km) |
| - Length | 447 miles (721 km) |
| - % water | 17.9 |
| - Latitude | 24°27′ N to 31° N |
| - Longitude | 80°02′ W to 87°38′ W |
| Florida State Population | Ranked 4th in the US |
| - Total |
18,537,969 (2009 est.) 15,982,378 (2000) |
| - Density | 338.4/sq mi (130.67/km2) Ranked 8th in the US |
| - Median income | $41,171 (36th) |
| Florida State Elevation | |
| - Highest point | Britton Hill 345 ft (105 m) |
| - Mean | 98 ft (30 m) |
| - Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean 0 ft (0 m) |
| Florida State Before statehood | Florida Territory |
| Florida State Admission to Union | March 3, 1845 (27th) |
| Florida State Governor | Charlie Crist (I) |
| Florida State Lieutenant Governor | Jeff Kottkamp (R) |
| Florida State Legislature | Florida Legislature |
| - Upper house | Senate |
| - Lower house | House of Representatives |
| U.S. Senators | Bill Nelson (D) George LeMieux (R) |
| U.S. House delegation | 15 Republicans, 10 Democrats |
| Florida State Time zones | |
| - Peninsula and "Big Bend" region |
Eastern: UTC-5/DST-4 |
| - Panhandle | Central: UTC-6/DST-5 |
| Florida State Abbreviations | FL Fla. US-FL |
| Florida State Website | http://www.myflorida.com |
Florida State Symbols
| Florida State Symbols | |
|---|---|
| Animate Insignia | |
| Florida Bird(s) | Mockingbird |
| Florida Butterfly | Zebra Longwing |
| Florida Fish | Florida largemouth bass, Atlantic sailfish |
| Florida Flower(s) | Orange blossom |
| Florida Insect | Zebra Longwing |
| Florida Mammal(s) | Florida panther, Manatee, Bottle-nosed dolphin |
| Florida Reptile | American Alligator |
| Florida Tree | Sabal Palmetto |
| Inanimate Insignia | |
| Florida Beverage | Orange juice |
| Florida Food | Key lime pie, Orange |
| Florida Fossil | agatized Coral |
| Florida Gemstone | Moonstone |
| Florida Rock | agatized Coral |
| Florida Shell | Horse conch |
| Florida Slogan(s) | Visit Florida |
| Florida Soil | Myakka |
| Florida Song(s) | Old Folks at Home |
Florida State History
History of Florida dates back to approximately 14000 years ago, when it began to be inhabited by the Native Americans. Juan Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer, was the first to arrive in Florida in 1513, and with the advent of Europeans the process of recording historical facts began. The French and Spanish settled in Florida in the 16th century with the Native Americans immigrating to Florida around the same time. Spain and Great Britain colonized Florida in 18th and 19th century respectively but in 1822 it became a territory of the United States. Eventually, Florida became the 27th state of United States of America on 3rd march, 1845.
Facts About Florida
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1st Spanish rule: Spanish Explorer, Ponce de León landed on the southwestern coast of Florida in 1521, accompanied by two-hundred people and numerous cattle and animals. His colonization attempt failed due to the attacks by Native American people. This was a significant event in the History of Florida. Ponce de León’s actions, nevertheless, served to classify Florida as an attractive place for explorers, missionaries, and treasure seekers throughout Europe.
- British Rule: After the British captured Florida from Spain during the Seven Years’ War (1756–63) they gained control of Florida in 1763 in exchange for Havana and Cuba. The British had grand plans for Florida! They split the state into two parts: East Florida, with its capital at St. Augustine; and West Florida, with its capital at Pensacola. Britain’s attempt to draw white settlers by offering land to settle and help those who produced products for export failed as the British rule lasted only twenty years. However, they left a noteworthy mark on the History of the state of Florida.
- During the War for American Independence (1776–83) the two parts of Florida were dedicated to Great Britain. However, Spain indirectly participated in the war as an ally of France and captured Pensacola from the British in 1781. In 1784 Spain regained control of Florida as a part of the peace treaty which ended the American Revolution.
- Second Spanish Rule: Spanish existence was trivial during their second rule over Florida. Spain offered profitable land packages in Florida as a means to attract settlers from the United States. Florida became a haven for fugitive slaves and a base for Indian attacks. Andrew Jackson, a U.S. General, attacked Florida in 1818. This became a turning point in the History of Florida as Spain had to surrender Florida to the United States in 1821.
- Another event of significant importance in the History of Florida took place on March 3, 1845 when Florida finally became the 27th state in the United States with Tallahassee as its capital. William D. Moseley was elected Florida’s first governor, with David Levy Yulee, becoming the first Senator from the state of Florida. Most Florida voters were white males, aged twenty-one years or older and were not opposed to slavery. But they were concerned about the growing feeling against it in the North, and in the 1860 presidential election, none of the Floridians voted for Abraham Lincoln.
- On January 10, 1861 Florida seceded from the Union and joined the other southern states to become one of the founders of Confederate States of America. Florida was an important supply route for the Confederate Army due to its strategic location but on May 10, 1865 it was defeated and federal troops captured Tallahassee. Florida was readmitted to the United States on July 25, 1868 after meeting the necessities of Reconstruction, including ratifying amendments to the Constitution of United States of America.
- Florida, because of its mild climate, became a major training center for soldiers and the sailors of the United States during the World War II. Highway and airport construction developed transportation network and this caused major economic development in Florida.
- Due to its warm climate it is popularly known as the Sunshine State.
Eduction in Florida
State University System of Florida
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Private Universities in Florida
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Florida College System
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Public Colleges and Universities
State University System of Florida
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Florida Sports
| Club | League | Venue | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | National Football League | Sun Life Stadium (Miami) | 2 (1972, 1973) |
| Miami Heat | National Basketball Association | American Airlines Arena (Miami) | 1 (2006) |
| Florida Marlins | Major League Baseball | Sun Life Stadium (Miami) | 2 (1997, 2003) |
| Florida Panthers | National Hockey League | BankAtlantic Center (Sunrise) | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | National Football League | Raymond James Stadium (Tampa) | 1 (2003) |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Major League Baseball | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg) | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | National Hockey League | St. Pete Times Forum (Tampa) | 1 (2004) |
| Orlando Magic | National Basketball Association | Amway Center (Orlando) | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | National Football League | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium | 0 |
Florida Professional Sports
Major Sports Teams
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Championships (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Marlins | Baseball | MLB | Sun Life Stadium | 2 (1997, 2003) |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Baseball | MLB | Tropicana Field | 0 |
| Miami Heat | Basketball | NBA | American Airlines Arena | 1 (2006) |
| Orlando Magic | Basketball | NBA | Amway Arena | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Football | NFL | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | Football | NFL | Sun Life Stadium | 2 (1972, 1973) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Football | NFL | Raymond James Stadium | 1 (2002) |
| Florida Panthers | Ice hockey | NHL | BankAtlantic Center | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Ice hockey | NHL | St. Pete Times Forum | 1 (2004) |
| Jacksonville Sharks | Arena football | AFL | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena | 0 |
| Orlando Predators | Arena football | AFL | Amway Arena | 2 (1998, 2002) |
| Tampa Bay Storm | Arena football | AFL | St. Pete Times Forum | 5 (1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2003) |
Minor Sports Teams
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Championships (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Suns | Baseball | MiLB, Southern League (AA) | Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville | 5 (1968, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009) |
| Brevard County Manatees | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League (A) | Space Coast Stadium | 1 (2000) |
| Clearwater Threshers | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Bright House Networks Field | 1 (2007) |
| Daytona Cubs | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Jackie Robinson Ballpark | 3 (1995, 2004, 2008) |
| Dunedin Blue Jays | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Knology Park | 0 |
| Fort Myers Miracle | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Hammond Stadium | 5 (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1978) |
| Jupiter Hammerheads | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Roger Dean Stadium | 0 |
| Lakeland Tigers | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Joker Marchant Stadium | 3 (1976, 1977, 1992) |
| Palm Beach Cardinals | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Roger Dean Stadium | 1 (2005) |
| Sarasota Reds | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Ed Smith Stadium | 0 |
| St. Lucie Mets | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Tradition Field | 5 (1988, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2006) |
| Tampa Yankees | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Legends Field | 3 (1994, 2001, 2004) |
| Charlotte Stone Crabs | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | Holman Stadium | 2 (1983, 1990) |
| Miami FC | Soccer | USL First Division | Tropical Park Stadium | 0 |
| Bradenton Athletics | Soccer | W-League | IMG Soccer Academy | 0 |
| Florida Everblades | Ice hockey | ECHL | Germain Arena | 0 |
| Palm Beach Imperials | Basketball | ABA | The Burrow | 0 |
| Gulf Coast Riptide | Women's Football | Women's Football Alliance | Emmitt Smith Field | 0 |
Florida Sister States
| Sister Jurisdiction | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kyonggi | South Korea | 2000 |
| Languedoc-Roussillon | France | 1989 |
| Nueva Esparta | Venezuela | 1999 |
| Taiwan Province | Taiwan, R.O.C. | 1992 |
| Wakayama Prefecture | Japan | 1995 |
| Western Cape | South Africa | 1995 |
