Jacksonville, Florida
After World War II, the government of the City of Jacksonville began to increase spending to fund new building projects in the boom that occurred after the war. Mayor W. Haydon Burns oversaw the construction of a new city hall, civic auditorium, public library and Read More …
Victorian era cemetery superstitions and traditions help us to better understand the world our ancestors lived in. In our day, we may throw a fancy wedding but during the Victorian era, elaborate funeral customs were all the rage! Many of the cemetery superstitions and traditions Read More …
Not unlike Madonna, Lady Gaga, and other world-famous divas, Miss Piggy has never deigned to use her full name among us mere mortals. If she had, more of us might know that her first name is actually short for “Pigathius,” which comes from a Greek Read More …
The USS “Florida” (BB-30), a dreadnought battleship, was commissioned into the United States Navy on this date in 1911. She was armed with a main battery of ten 12-inch guns, sixteen 5-inch guns, and two torpedo tubes. The USS Florida served during World War I Read More …
If you have a smartwatch or other fitness tracker, you might get a little celebratory notification when you hit 10,000 steps — or maybe you’ve just heard someone refer to “getting their 10,000 steps in.” That benchmark persists because it’s a nice, round number that’s Read More …
St. Augustine, Florida, was founded on September 8, 1565 — more than 200 years before the United States was an official country. Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was an explorer from Spain who came ashore in Florida on August 28, 1565, on the Catholic feast day Read More …
Originally, it was actually the other way around. For much of the 19th century, most infants and toddlers wore white dresses. Dresses facilitated diaper-changing, and white cotton could easily be cleaned with bleach. But around 1900, childcare experts began to push for a greater distinction between little girls Read More …
If you live in Florida for any length of time, you will probably either ride through a few major hurricanes or get the heck out of the way of one before it arrives. Hurricanes – and their weaker cousin, the tropical cyclone – pose a Read More …
On August 25th, people across the United States observe National Whiskey Sour Day. #NationalWhiskeySourDay Traditionally garnished with half an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry, a whiskey sour is a mixed drink containing whiskey (often bourbon), lemon juice, and sugar. Whiskey sours are shaken then Read More …
On this date in 1821 – The “Floridian, the first newspaper in northwest Florida, was established in Pensacola. Initially published by Nicholas & Tunstall, the first issue ran on August 18, 1821, with an account of Florida’s transfer to the United States. The second page Read More …
On this day in 1968, Snoopy walked into a surprise birthday party, so Peanuts officials give the beagle his birthday cake and candles to blow out every Aug. 10. Some older fans believe his birthday is in October as Snoopy was introduced to the world on its third Read More …
August 6th is National Root Beer Float Day. Some root beer history: Sassafras root beverages were made by indigenous peoples of the Americas for culinary and medicinal reasons before the arrival of Europeans in North America, and European culinary techniques have been applied to making traditional sassafras-based Read More …
Earlier this evening the LaVilla Heritage Trail and Gateway Committee presented its LaVilla Heritage Trail project to the Downtown Investment Authority. The proposed LaVilla Heritage Trail across the historically Black Jacksonville neighborhood includes 55 notable historic sites, including the Ritz Theatre and Genovar’s Hall, a Read More …
During Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk last night, the Jacksonville Historical Society unveiled the “Bicentennial Bell” to commemorate Jacksonville’s 200th birthday in 2022. The 225lb. bronze bell will be on display at the main branch of the Jacksonville Public Library until a permanent site is secured. Read More …
Monday morning, the City and our Military Affairs & Veterans Department invite you to the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Veterans Memorial Wall. Music from Navy Band Southeast and the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus begins at 8am with the ceremony beginning at 8:30.
Like moving into any new home, it takes a little time to get ready for visitors – but that time is now for the USS Orleck as she is back and open for guests. Now docked at Pier 1 at 610 E. Bay St, the Read More …
Is it on your calendar? Join the City of Jacksonville on Saturday, May 20th as James Weldon Johnson Park and Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman host the annual Emancipation Day Celebration. From 4-9pm, enjoy live music, speeches, food, drinks, vendors, and much more. Be sure to visit Read More …
A new immersive art experience is coming to the NoCo Center in Downtown Jacksonville starting June 9th. Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience will replace Beyond Van Gogh, which ends a long run this Sunday, April 30. The new exhibit will use digital projections to transport visitors to ancient Egypt, with Read More …