1. In 1926, the Tamiami Trail opened in Florida, connecting Tampa and Miami with a new highway that ran through the Everglades. The trail was an engineering feat, requiring the construction of many bridges and causeways to stretch across the wetlands.

2. In 1931, the 30-story Freedom Tower opened in Miami, becoming the tallest building in the state at the time. The tower served as a newspaper headquarters and was later used to process Cuban refugees arriving in the United States.

3. In 2012, the first rock art of its kind in the southeastern United States was discovered in a cave on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The prehistoric art includes depictions of animals and humans and is estimated to be about 6,000 years old.

4. In 2018, the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting occurred in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed and 17 others were injured. The shooting sparked widespread debate about gun control and mental health policies in the United States.

5. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact Florida, leading to statewide lockdowns and changes in daily life for residents. The pandemic continues to be a major issue in the state, with multiple waves of infections and ongoing efforts to vaccinate the population.