History

First announced on Aug. 31, 1949, by the Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson and supported with a presidential proclamation on Feb. 20, 1950, by President Harry S. Truman, Armed Forces Day is a day to celebrate the United States’ military. Today, Armed Forces Day is observed on the third Saturday of May.

Nearly 230 years ago this week, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was established with the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement in a meeting of 24 New York City stockbrokers on May 17, 1792.

Did you know Florida has both a state song and a state anthem?

From March 23 to May 4, the Havana History and Heritage Center is hosting the Smithsonian Institution’s “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” a Museum on Main Street exhibition.

Among the 2018 inductees to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame is Adela Hernandez Gonzmart. Adela was known as “the queen of Ybor City” and served as the figurehead and supreme hostess at the world-famous Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City until her death in 2001.

National Women’s History Month was created to highlight the many unsung female figures in our nation’s history. Each of us has benefited from contributions made by women who have helped to build and protect America.

Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. The holiday was initially established in the 1880s to commemorate the birthday of the first president, George Washington. Following the passage of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, the holiday commonly came to be known as Presidents Day.

Florida’s Cabinet consists of the governor and three constitutionally elected state executives overseeing several boards and commissions, including clemency hearings.

Dictionary.com announced “misinformation” comes in first place as 2018’s word of the year, following “complicit” from last year. Misinformation is defined as “false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead.”

Tributes come in large and small narratives and are always impactful. President Bush’s influence on my career began when I opened his 1988 Florida campaign office. I worked on his inauguration, and later, enjoyed a four-year stint at the Republican National Committee, campaigning on Republican ideals and believing in a cause greater than myself.

A new WikiProject, Women in Red, demands greater recognition for female historical figures by increasing the number of biographies about women on Wikipedia.

America celebrates six decades of space exploration this year. On Jan. 31, 1958, the United States launched its first satellite from Cape Canaveral.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge will reopen its historic lighthouse to members of the public.

From Florida’s discovery in 1513 by Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce De Leon, to our thriving 4.3 million Hispanic population, the Sunshine State is saturated in vibrant Latino culture.

Aretha Franklin was the reigning “Queen of Soul” for five decades. A preacher’s daughter, she spent her youth in his Detroit church singing gospel. While she had earlier recordings, Franklin catapulted to fame in 1967 with her hit, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You).”

My Chicago born and bred father always dreamed of living in Florida. Prior to our Sunshine State relocation, there is 8 mm proof of summer vacation trips to the most iconic (and random) of attractions, including Six Gun Territory, Cypress Gardens, Weeki Wachee Springs and Tiki Gardens.

Since 1845, Florida’s old capitol has been a symbol of state government. With its iconic dome and red-and-white striped awnings, it remains the jewel of the capitol complex.

Tallahassee, Florida, has long been referred to as City of the Seven Hills. In fact, a 2013 post by Richard Butgereit at the Florida Division of Emergency Management reports that the Seven Hills are:

The National Archives has launched a Citizen Archivist program, enlisting virtual volunteers to improve the accessibility of its records.

As the nation mourned the passing of one of America’s national treasures, former first lady Barbara Bush wouldn’t have wanted anyone to make a fuss.

For some, May 5 means two-for-one margaritas and bottomless chips and salsa, but May 5 is more than a celebration of food and drink specials.

The Boston Marathon has been held every Patriot’s Day since 1897.

Many of us take our right to vote for granted. For women, the legal right to vote was a long-fought battle that lasted for many decades.

Dear Florida,

Rev. James Page was Florida’s first ordained black minister. He came to Leon County as a slave serving as carriage driver, gardener and body servant for his owner, John Parkhill. After he was ordained, Parkhill gave him land on his plantation to build a church.

On March 6, 1865, Confederate troops fought for control over the Natural Bridge that stretches along the St. Marks River.

Joseph W. Hatchett is a pioneer in Florida law. Born in Clearwater, Florida, Hatchett returned to the Sunshine State after attending Howard University Law School. Over his career as a civil rights attorney, he had a direct role in ending segregation.

TCC unveiled its 18th annual Cherry Hall Alexander African-American History Calendar on Jan. 31. This year’s theme, “African-Americans in Times of War,” honors local African-Americans who have served in the U.S. military. In addition to military service, the honorees also share a distinguished record of civilian public service.

It’s something we’ll all be talking about for years: The day it snowed in Tallahassee. Residents from all over the Capital City grabbed their phones to capture videos and photos of the snow flurries that fell from the sky the morning of Jan. 3.

The National Park Service preserves and commemorates military history at more than 156 park units including 25 national battlefields and parks and 14 national cemeteries.