In the Sunshine State on this day in 1565 today is the anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine.

From the account of Pedro Menendez’s expedition to Florida in 1565 by Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, the chaplain to the expedition.

“Saturday, the eight of September, the day of the Nativity of our Lady, the General disembarked with many banners displayed and many trumpets and other instruments of war, discharging much artillery. As I was on the Land since the day before, I took a cross and went out to receive them with the Psalm “Te Deum laudamaus,” and the General came directly to the cross with all the rest that came with him, and kneeling on the knees on the earth they kissed the cross. There were a great number of Indians looking at these ceremonies and thus they did all they saw done. On this same day the General took possession of this land for His Majesty and all Captains swore him to be General of all this land. Having finished doing this, he offered to all the Lord Captains to do for them all that he could do, especially Captain Patino who had on this journey served Our Lord and his King well. I understand that he should be well rewarded because by means of his good diligence and not sleeping, there has been made a fort which we defend ourselves until help comes form Santo Domingo and Havana, which we expect within hours.”

“We are now in the fort about 600 fighting men, the French may be as many and a little more. I have advised the General that it is my opinion that he should not attack again this winter, but rehabilitate his people and await the help we expect by hours. He is such a friend of his own opinion that I do not know if he will have it done that way.”

In 1900 Today is the birthday of the late Claude Pepper, who was born in Dudleyville, Alabama. Pepper came to Florida in 1925. A graduate of the University of Alabama (1921) and Harvard Law School (1924), Pepper enjoyed a long and productive career as a lawmaker at the state and national level. He served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives in 1929; in 1937, the entered the United States Senate and was a member of that body until 1951 He was unseated by George Smathers in November 1950, following a wildly exciting race. Smathers earned a place in political history when he accused Pepper of having “matriculated from college” and having “a sister who was a thespian.” Although this was true, the use of such words, although appropriate, shocked rural Floridians and, some say, cost Pepper the election. A strong advocate of the New Deal, Pepper, in all likelihood, was simply out of touch with his constituents.

Pepper was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 1962 and retained that post until he retired in the 1990s.

In 1948 The first students registered for classes today at Pensacola Junior College, which was located in a former tourist home.

In 1965 Hurricane Betsy, a Category 3, struck southern Florida with winds between 120 and 145 mph.