In the Sunshine State on this day in:

1817 The first elections for Representatives of “The Republic of the Floridas” were held at Fernandina.  Jared Irwin, former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, was later elected president of this enterprise.  Spanish authorities were “less than thrilled” by this blatant American effort to wrest a portion of Florida from its control.

1854 The Florida Baptist Convention was organized today in Madison.

1910 Florida motion picture companies, operating largely in studios around Jacksonville, were heartened today when it was announced that more than 120,000 projectors had been sold nationwide.

1924 The George S. Gandy Bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg was officially opened today by Governor Cary S. Hardee.

1962 The first legal papers creating a condominium association were filed today in Palm Beach County Clerk of Court’s office.