In the Sunshine State on this day in:

1884 The Florida Dental Association (then referred to as the Florida State Dental Society) was founded in Jacksonville at a meeting in Library Hall.

1889 Edward Aylsworth Perry, 14th governor of Florida (January 6, 1885-January 8, 1889), died today in Pensacola. After the war, Perry resumed the practice of law.  Active in state and national politics, he was elected governor in 1885.  During his administration, Florida adopted a new Constitution and established the State Board of Education to oversee the public school system.

1926 Francis Houghtaling of Miami registered as the first student enrolled at the University of Miami.

1934 National Airlines began operations in Florida with the inauguration of a 142-mile airmail run between St. Petersburg and Daytona Beach, with stops in Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.  National Airlines began its operations with a second-hand single engine Ryan airplane.

1964 Jacksonville’s Bob Hayes won the Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter dash in the Tokyo games.  His time for this event was ten (10) seconds even.