On this day in the Sunshine State ...


1765 Zephaniah Kingsley, pioneer land owner at Fort George Island, was born today in Scotland.  Kingsley Plantation, near Jacksonville, is open to visitors each day. 


1925 Newspapers reported today that more than 600,000 persons were living in tents as migration outstripped the ability of builders to construct new homes during the “Florida Boom.”  

Gilchrist County, Florida’s 67th county, was established today by the Florida Legislature.  Named for Albert Waller Gilchrist, the 20th governor of Florida (January 5, 1909-January 7, 1913).  The county seat is Trenton.  Gilchrist was a descendant of both George Washington and James Madison.  A bachelor, he left his estate of $500,000 to charity.

1925 J. B. Johnson assumed office as the Attorney General of Florida today.  He served until June 4, 1927, when he was replaced by Fred H. Davis.


1925 Justice Rivers H. Buford assumed a position on the Florida Supreme Court.  By the end of his tenure on March 1, 1948, he had written more opinions (by name) than any other justice.  The 2,657 opinions he wrote under this own name was supplemented by an additional 300-400 anonymously on behalf of the entire court.


1959 “Sam,” a NASA test monkey, survived a trip into outer space and returned to Earth, paving the way for humans to travel in space.


1964 Nova University was incorporated today.  Privately operated and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Nova University is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Florida.