1. In 1888, the town of St. Augustine experienced a historic freeze, with temperatures dropping to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. This rare event caused significant damage to crops and buildings throughout the region.

2. On January 2, 1920, the start of Prohibition in the United States had a major impact on Florida's tourism industry. With the sale of alcohol prohibited, many visitors opted to vacation in nearby Caribbean destinations where alcohol was still legal.

3. In 1965, the Gemini 2 spacecraft completed its successful mission to test the viability of a manned spaceflight. This pivotal moment in space exploration took place in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

4. January 2, 1981, marked the opening of Epcot Center, the second theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort. This innovative park brought a new level of entertainment and education, highlighting technology, innovation, and international culture.

5. The Miami Hurricanes football team claimed their fifth national championship on January 2, 2002, when they defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Rose Bowl. This momentous victory solidified the team's status as one of the greatest in college football history.