French Fort Caroline: Before the Spanish established St. Augustine, the French built Fort Caroline in 1564 near present-day Jacksonville. This was one of the first attempts by the French to colonize the southeastern United States.
The Great Freeze of 1894-1895: This devastating freeze wiped out much of Florida’s citrus industry, leading many growers to move their operations further south. It significantly impacted the state’s economy and agricultural landscape.
The Pensacola Navy Yard: Established in 1826, the Pensacola Navy Yard was one of the earliest naval shipyards in the United States. It played a crucial role in naval operations during the Civil War and later became the first U.S. Naval Air Station site.
The First Scheduled Airline Flight: In 1914, the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line operated the world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight. This pioneering flight marked the beginning of the commercial aviation industry.
Rosewood Massacre: In 1923, the small town of Rosewood in Levy County was destroyed during a racially motivated massacre. The tragedy remained largely unknown until the 1990s, when survivors and descendants brought it to public attention, leading to reparations from the state of Florida.
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