In the Sunshine State on this day in:

1600 The King of Spain ordered the Governor of Cuba to open an investigation into the worthiness of St. Augustine as a permanent fortress and city in Florida.

1823 The United States War Department ordered the establishment of a military outpost at Tampa Bay.  As a result, construction begins on Fort Brooke.

1828 The town of Marianna is incorporated under the provisions established by the Territorial Legislature.

1894 The City of West Palm Beach is incorporated.

1915 The first successful catapult launch of a piloted aircraft from a ship was made today by Lieutenant Commander H. C. Mustin off the deck of the U.S.S. North Carolina in Pensacola Bay.  Lieutenant Commander Muslin was flying an AB-2 “flying boat.”