1. In 1962, Hurricane Donna hit Florida, becoming one of the most destructive storms in the state's history. It caused widespread damage and claimed the lives of 13 people.

2. On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, including Floridian William Blount. Florida would not become a state until 1845, however.

3. In 1933, the Florida State Fair opened in Tampa. The fair continues to be a popular attraction in the state, drawing visitors from around the world.

4. On September 17, 1960, the first Kennedy-Nixon debate took place, which would later become an important moment in American political history. The debate was broadcast live from a television studio in Chicago, but was watched by millions across the country, including in Florida.

5. In 2013, the new $1.3 billion Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center officially opened its doors, providing medical care and services to more than 400,000 veterans in the region. Today, the center is a vital resource for veterans across the state.