Jacksonville, Florida
Eartha M. M. White hosted a children’s Christmas party at the Clara White Mission in Jacksonville on this date in 1963. This was one of many events and organizations that Miss White either supported or began throughout her long lifetime of humanitarian aid (she died Read More …
Construction began on the impressive Bay County Courthouse in Panama City on this date in 1914. Completed in 1915, the courthouse featured a large central clock tower and elaborate gabled roof. Unfortunately, in 1920 a fire gutted the building and a new, simpler Classical Revival-style Read More …
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while Read More …
The home of John Ringling opened to the public on this date in 1946. Ringling was one of five brothers who owned and operated the Ringling Brothers Circus, known at the time as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” John Ringling became one of the wealthiest Read More …
Willie Browne lived alone in a cabin on 361 acres of land his father purchased in 1884. This pristine patch of woods overlooked the marshes east of the Fort Caroline National Memorial. Browne continually resisted the urging of developers to sell the property, and upon Read More …
Today, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced the annual selection of 25 films into the Library of Congress National Film Registry. Films are selected based on their cultural, historic and/or aesthetic importance, and must be at least 10 years old. The 2021 National Film Registry Read More …
“He had a broad face and a round little belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly, He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself” Clement Moore, “A Read More …
There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas. Are you willing… to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, Read More …
A Visit from Saint Nicholas (‘Twas the night before Christmas) by Clement Clark Moore photo credit: via flickr ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with Read More …
Apollo 17, the final manned mission to the moon and the first night launch of a U.S. manned spacecraft, lifted off from Cape Canaveral on this date in 1972. Astronauts Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt spent twelve days in space, three of which Read More …
December 7, 1941 marks the day that the Empire of Japan attacked the U.S. Army and Navy in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack at the base also officially marked U.S. involvement in World War II. Today, December 7th is known as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, as Read More …
Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or Read More …
On this date in 1838 delegates from around Florida met at St. Joseph to draft a constitution and bill of rights for the Territory of Florida on this date. Robert R. Reid, future governor of the territory, presided over the convention. Delegates were broken into eighteen Read More …
On this date in 1817 a group of supply boats, led by Lt. R. W. Scott, were heading up the Apalachicola River bound for Fort Scott when they were attacked by Seminole warriors. This resulted in the deaths of thirty men, six women, and four Read More …
On Thanksgiving Day, many Native Americans and their supporters gather at the top of Cole’s Hill, overlooking Plymouth Rock, for the “National Day of Mourning.” The first National Day of Mourning was held in 1970. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts invited Wampanoag leader Frank James to deliver Read More …
Apple TV+ became the home of the comic strip’s iconic holiday specials last year, pulling them from airwaves and making them exclusive to the streamer. However, following massive public outrage and a new deal with PBS, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” aired on the streamer service, Read More …
It’s not too late to join the fun and build a gingerbread display for the 19th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza. Visit www.jaxhistory.org for details to build, buy a ticket or become a sponsor! The Jacksonville Historical Society is hosting the 19th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza in a manner Read More …
Lydia Maria Child wrote the poem titled “The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day,” in 1845. It is best known for its opening lines “Over the river and through the wood, to grandfather’s house we go.” Her poem gained its lasting popularity in 1874 when Read More …