In the Sunshine State on this day in 1841 Francis P. Fleming, fifteenth governor of Florida (January 8, 1889-January 3, 1893), was born today in Duval County.  His father farmed a large plantation in Duval County.  Educated a home, the young Francis Fleming entered business prior to the Civil War.  When the war came, he enlisted as a private in the 2nd Florida Infantry Regiment, but received a battlefield promotion to 1st Lieutenant.   After the war, Fleming practiced laws.  His administration was noted for the establishment of the State Board of Health.

In 1871 Frederick Preston Cone, 27th governor of Florida (January 3, 1937-January 7, 1941), was born in Columbia County. He attended Florida Agricultural College and Jasper Normal College.  In 1892, he was admitted to the Florida bar. Cone served in the Florida Senate from 1907-1913, including a term as President in 1911.

 In 1953 Daniel Thomas McCarty, the 31st governor of Florida (January 6-September 28, 1953) died today.  A native of St. Lucie County, McCarty was born in Fort Pierce on January 18, 1912.  He attended public schools in St. Lucie County and graduated from the University of Florida in 1934.  McCarty was active in the citrus and cattle industries.  He represented St. Lucie County in the Florida House of Representatives in 1937, 1939 and 1941.  In 1941, he became the Speaker of the House. McCarty was a much decorated hero of World War II and was a participant in the Normandy landing on June 6, 1944.McCarty was the runner-up for the gubernatorial nomination in the 1948 Democratic primary.  In 1952, he won the primary and the subsequent general election.  He took office on January 6, but served for only nine months.  On February 25, 1953, he suffered a disabling heart attack.  He died on September 28, 1953, in Tallahassee.

In 1953 Charley Eugene Johns became the 32nd governor (acting) of Florida (September 28, 1953-January 4, 1955).  Johns, the President of the Senate, assumed office on the death of Governor Dan McCarty.  He held the office until 1955, when he was replaced by Thomas LeRoy Collins, who had been elected to fill the unexpired portion of McCarty’s term.  Johns returned to the Florida Senate and served in that body until 1966. Johns was active in the affairs of state during his tenure in the Senate, and the “Johns Committee,” of the early 1960s earned him notoriety.  The “Johns Committee” conducted a McCarthy-like investigation of the influence of Communists and homosexuals in Florida’s educational system.  The notorious “Purple Book,” which detailed the practices of homosexuals, became the handbook for Johns’ supporters and a widely circulated pamphlet in the gay community. 

In 1965 “Freedom Flights” between Cuba and Florida began today.  These flights brought a second round of Cuban immigrants to the United States.

In 1966 Santa Fe Junior College opened its doors to the first students to attend classes.  Santa Fe Community College is located in Gainesville.