Florida History

By carolinecourter
  • 10,000 BCE

    First People Arrived

    The first inhabitants arrived in Florida
  • Jan 1, 1513

    Ponce de Leon Arrived

    Spanish exploration begins
  • Jan 1, 1539

    Hernando de Soto's Expedition

    Looking for gold and silver, de Soto led his expedition through Florida to Mexico.
  • Jan 1, 1565

    First permanent European settlement

    Saint Augustine is settled by Spain

  • Acquired by the United States as a Territory

    Acquired by the US from Spain

  • Beginning of Second Seminole War

    Led by Osceola, second conflict between US and Seminoles

  • End of Second Seminole War

    End of conflict between US and Seminoles

  • Florida becomes a state

    Florida becomes the 27th state

  • Henry Flagler opens Hotel Ponce de Leon in Saint Augustine

    Begins boom in railroad and tourism industry

  • Mary MacLeod Bethune opens Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Girls

    Daytona Beach, FL

  • Land rush

    Investors in land caused land prices to rise, to be followed shortly by the Great Depression, causing many to lose their fortunes.

  • Great Depression

    The Great Depression wreaked havoc on Florida's industries.

  • Zora Neal Hurston published 'Their Eyes Were Watching God'

  • Central and South Florida Project Begins

    Congress authorized the construction of roads, canals, and levees in South Florida, increasing trade routes and tourism.

  • Steve Carlton inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame