Florida - some interesting facts

On January 10, 1861, before the start of the American Civil War, Florida declared its secession from the Union; ten days later, the state became a founding member of the Confederate States of America. The war ended in 1865.

On June 25, 1868, Florida's congressional representation was restored. After Reconstruction, white Democrats succeeded in regaining power in the state legislature. In 1885 they created a new constitution, followed by statutes through 1889 that effectively disfranchised most blacks and many poor whites over the next several years.

Provisions included poll taxes, literacy tests, and residency requirements. Disfranchisement for most African Americans in the state persisted until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s gained federal legislation to protect their suffrage.

1. Florida WildLife Centre estimates there are some 1.25 million alligators in the wild in Florida.
2. The Everglades is the only place you can see Alligators and Crocodiles living in the same habitat.
3. Once a year, thousands of Floridians stand at the state line and toss dead fish into Alabama. It's the annual Mullet Toss hosted by Flora-Bama Beach Bar in Pensacola. It's just "a silly excuse for a huge beach party."
4. The names of some of the approach procedures that all aircraft follow into their arrival at Orlando International Airport are named CWRLD ONE, COSTR ONE, PIGLT ONE, MINEE TWO and GOOFY FIVE. Any pilot that flies into there can confirm this.
5. Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where it was first developed.
6. Flamingos get their pink color from the shrimp they eat. The more shrimp they eat the deeper pink they become.
7. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a cable-stayed concrete bridge. Opened in 1987 the bridge coasts through the clouds at 190 feet above water. Its bright yellow support cables spread from the two center pillars. The structure gives drivers unobstructed view of the water during the 4.1 mile trip over Tampa Bay.
8. World's first scheduled passenger service airline flight went from St. Petersburg's downtown yacht basin to Tampa.
9. The first suntan cream was made in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1944, by pharmacist Benjamin Green.
10. Florida's capital, Tallahassee, was the only southern capital east of the Mississippi that stayed in southern hands for the whole Civil War.
11. How many square miles does Disney World cover? At last count, 47 square miles -- wow!