In the Sunshine State on this day in 1696 Jonathan Dickinson, leader of the Society of Friends (Quakers), was shipwrecked north of Jupiter Inlet while on his way to Philadelphia. Florida Indians allowed him to pass with his party to St. Augustine.

In 1888 One hundred sixty-three yellow fever cases were reported in the epidemic at Jacksonville. Before the epidemic was over, four hundred twenty-seven persons would die.

In 1898 Naval ships, which had evacuated military personnel from Key West in August because of a purported yellow fever outbreak, continued the re-occupation of naval facility there.

1930 Singer Ray C. Robinson was born in Albany, Georgia. When he was about six months old, his family moved to Greenville, Florida. His father left, leaving the family to struggle. Robinson later recalled in his autobiography that they were so poor that there was "Nothin' below us, 'cept the ground." About age 5, he started losing his sight from glaucoma. Nevertheless, he loved music--from gospel at the Baptist Church he attended to country from listening to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights. Later, at a state school for the deaf and blind in St. Augustine, he was exposed to classical music. At age 15, Robinson's mother died, leaving him alone in the world. He developed his musical talents, learning to play piano, organ, and several other instruments. He began play clubs in Florida and saved enough money to get as far away from Florida as he could--which was Seattle, Washington. Here, he won a talent contest and his career was underway. At this point, he decided to change his name so he wouldn't be confused with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson -- so, Ray Charles stopped using his last name. In 1949, he signed a recording contract--and the rest is history. His list of hits is too long to list, but some of the best-known were "What'd I Say," "I've Got a Woman," and of course the one forever associated with his birth state, "Georgia."

In 1973 On this day in Miami, Florida’s 30th governor, Fuller Warren, died. Warren’s term of office began on January 4, 1949, and ended on January 6, 1953. Warren was born in Blountstown, Florida, and was educated at the University of Florida and Cumberland College. At age 21, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives from Calhoun County. In 1929, he moved to Jacksonville and opened a law practice. From 1931-1937, he served on the Jacksonville City Council. A Navy veteran of World War II, Warren was also the author of three books. During his tenure of office, Warren was instrumental in securing the construction of the Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, the Jacksonville Expressway system, and for the outlawing of cattle from Florida’s highways. He moved to Miami at the end of his term of office and resumed the practice of law. In 1956, he was defeated in his effort to secure the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.