State of Florida
Timeline of Events:
- 1513: Juan Ponce de León explores the Florida coast.
- 1565: Pedro Menéndez de Avilés establishes the first permanent European settlement in Florida, St. Augustine.
- 1763: Great Britain acquires Florida from Spain in the Treaty of Paris.
- 1783: Spain regains control of Florida in the 2425/apush/ids/u6/Treaty of Versailles.
- 1819: Spain cedes Florida to the United States in the Adams-Onís Treaty.
- 1822: Florida becomes a territory of the United States.
- 1845: Florida becomes the 27th state of the United States.
- 1861: Florida secedes from the Union and joins the Confederate States of America.
- 1865: Union forces recapture Florida.
- 1875: Florida adopts a new constitution that disenfranchises the majority of African Americans.
- 1885: The Great Freeze destroys the Florida citrus industry.
- 1890s: The discovery of gold and oil brings a new era of prosperity to Florida.
- 1910s: Florida becomes a popular spring break destination.
- 1920s: The Florida land boom collapses, leading to the Great Depression.
- 1940s: Florida becomes a major military base during World War II.
- 1950s: The Cold War and space exploration bring continued growth to Florida.
- 1960s: Florida is a battleground state in the civil rights movement.
- 1970s: The Walt Disney World Resort opens in Orlando, becoming one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
- 1980s: Florida’s economy booms, due in part to the influx of retirees.
- 1990s: Florida undergoes a series of hurricanes and other natural disasters.
- 2000s: Florida is a key battleground state in the 2000 presidential election.
- 2010s: Florida continues to experience economic growth and population increase.
- 2020s: The COVID-19 pandemic has a major impact on Florida’s tourism industry.
Important Legislation Signed:
- 1885: The Florida Constitution of 1885 disenfranchises the majority of African Americans.
- 1964: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, Religion, sex, or national origin.
- 1972: The Florida Comprehensive Growth Management Act establishes a framework for regulating growth in the state.
- 2000: The Florida Supreme Court orders a recount in the 2000 presidential election, but the U.S. Supreme Court halts the recount and declares George W. Bush the winner.
- 2018: The Florida Constitution Amendment 4 restores voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences.
Important Court Cases:
- Bush v. Gore (2000): The U.S. Supreme Court halts a recount in the 2000 presidential election, effectively handing the election to George W. Bush.
- Citizens United v. FEC (2010): The U.S. Supreme Court rules that corporations have the same right to political speech as individuals.
- Florida v. Boston (2013): The U.S. Supreme Court rules that mandatory life without parole for juvenile offenders is unconstitutional.
Major Industry:
- Tourism
Impact on the Rest of the Country:
- Florida is a key battleground state in presidential elections.
- The Florida tourism industry has a major impact on the national economy.
- Florida’s growth management policies have been a model for other states.
- Florida’s legal challenges to voting restrictions and other issues have had a national impact.