1. In 1908, The Tampa Bay Hotel, now known as the University of Tampa, opened its doors to the public. The extravagant building was created by railroad magnate Henry Plant and features intricate Moorish architecture.

2. On June 30, 1966, NASA launched the Gemini IX-A mission from Cape Canaveral. Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene Cernan spent three days conducting experiments while in space.

3. In 1986, the city of St. Petersburg hosted the first Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, a major auto race that continues to draw thousands of visitors to the area each year.

4. On this day in 2000, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium opened its doors to the public. The aquarium, made famous by the movie "Dolphin Tale," provides rehabilitation and care for injured marine animals and offers educational programs.

5. In 2015, same-sex marriage became legal in Florida following a ruling by the United States Supreme Court. This decision granted thousands of couples in the state the right to marry and marked a major step forward for LGBTQ rights in America.