1. In 1565, Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed on the shores of what is now St. Augustine, Florida, establishing the first permanent European settlement in the United States.

2. On August 19, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain, officially beginning the War of 1812. Florida played a significant role in the war, with British forces attacking and burning Spanish-controlled Pensacola in 1814.

3. In 1919, the state of Florida passed a law allowing counties to establish parks and recreational areas. This led to the creation of many beloved Florida landmarks, such as the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

4. On August 19, 1977, the first aircraft built by the General Aviation Company (now known as Gulfstream Aerospace) took its maiden flight. Gulfstream is now headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, but maintains major operations in Florida.

5. In 2013, Florida State University quarterback Jameis Winston was named the preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, college football's highest individual honor. Winston went on to lead the Seminoles to a national championship that season and won the Heisman Trophy in December.