1. In 1971, the Walt Disney World Resort announced plans to build a second theme park in Orlando, Florida. The park, originally called EPCOT Center, opened in 1982 and was dedicated to showcasing innovative technologies and international cultures.

2. On June 25, 1962, astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom became the second American to enter space on the Mercury-Redstone 4 mission. The 15-minute flight reached an altitude of 118 miles and landed safely in the Atlantic Ocean.

3. In 1876, Florida's first public telephone exchange opened in Jacksonville. Initially serving just 25 customers, the exchange quickly expanded as more people began to see the value of being able to communicate quickly and easily with one another.

4. On June 25, 1978, Florida residents were startled by the unexpected appearance of a mysterious creature known as the "Skunk Ape." The creature, described as being similar to Bigfoot or Sasquatch, was reportedly seen near a highway in the southern part of the state.

5. In 1999, Florida was rocked by the tragic death of professional wrestler Owen Hart at a World Wrestling Federation event in Kansas City. Hart, who was performing a stunt from a height of more than 70 feet, fell to his death when the equipment failed to function properly. The incident led to changes in safety procedures for professional wrestling events.