1. In 1958, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was officially opened to traffic, connecting St. Petersburg to the southern tip of Pinellas County. The bridge spans 21,877 feet across Tampa Bay and is one of the most iconic structures in Florida.

2. In 1983, George T. Smith became the first African American appointed to the Florida Supreme Court. Smith, a native of Tallahassee, served on the state's highest court for over 20 years and was known for his commitment to civil rights and social justice.

3. On October 23, 2005, Hurricane Wilma made landfall in southwest Florida, causing widespread damage and power outages throughout the state. The storm was the most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin and caused over $21 billion in damages.

4. In 2011, the Miami Heat opened the NBA season with a victory against the Dallas Mavericks, a rematch of the previous year's NBA Finals. The Heat won the game 105-94, with LeBron James scoring 37 points and Dwyane Wade adding 26.

5. In 2018, Florida's first Spanish-style brewery, Cervezas Las Vejas, opened in Ybor City. The brewery specializes in craft beers that are inspired by traditional Spanish recipes and brewing techniques, and has quickly become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.