Florida History. A Brief History. A brief history and bibliography of Florida from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Prehistoric Native People. The first people to enter the Florida peninsula around 12,000 years ago were not explorers, adventurers, or settlers,but nomads following the big game animals upon which their survival depended. ...

Civil War and Reconstruction. During the Civil War, Florida was not ravaged as several other southern states were. Indeed, no decisive battles were fought on Florida soil. While Union forces occupied many coastal towns and forts, the interior of the state remained in Confederate hands.

Today in Florida History September 25, Former Governor of Florida Spessard L. Holland assumed the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Charles O. Andrews of Ponce de Leon, FL on this date. Holland had previously served as the 28th Governor of Florida from 1941-1945. Holland would be elected to the U.S. Senate another four terms before retiring from politics in 1970.

The Florida History Internet Center provides free textbooks, travel guides, and featured articles about the history of the state of Florida and its people past and present.

Florida, which joined the union as the 27th state in 1845, is nicknamed the Sunshine State and known for its balmy climate and natural beauty. Spanish explorer

Florida - Florida - History: Ancient Native American peoples entered Florida from the north as early as 12,000 years ago. Although the first evidence of farming dates from about 500 bce, some southern groups remained hunters, fishers, and gatherers until their extinction. Indigenous peoples continued to arrive from the north in small numbers after 500 bce, establishing contacts with Cuba, the ...

1845 - Florida becomes the 27th state. 1861 - Florida secedes from the Union and joins the Confederacy. 1864 - The Battle of Olustee is fought. 1868 - Florida is readmitted into the Union. 1961 - NASA's first manned spaceflight takes off from Cape Canaveral. 1971 - Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park opens in Orlando.

Florida History Timeline Important Dates, Events, and Milestones in Florida History. Offers a chronological timeline of important dates, events, and milestones in Florida history. Florida, which joined the union as the 27th state in 1845, is nicknamed the Sunshine State and known for its balmy climate and natural beauty.