On this day in the Sunshine State …

1817 Fernandina was surrendered to U.S. military forces by officers of the “Republic of the Floridas” headed up by Mexican Luis Aury, a general in the independence movement.  The United States flag was the fourth to fly over Amelia Island in a six-month period.

1856 Lafayette County, the 33rd county in the state, was created today.  Named for the Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, Lafayette County recognized the contributions the Marquis made to American independence.  The U.S. Congress had earlier granted him a township of land located near present-day Tallahassee.   Although Lafayette did not come to Florida, he was responsible for the settlement of French families in the area.

1856 Taylor County, the 35th county in Florida, was established today.  Taylor County was named for Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the United States and commander of the United States Armed Forces in Florida during the Second Seminole War.