Fifty years ago today, Johnny Carson made his debut as host of The Tonight Show. The talk show featured comedy monologues and guest interviews with political, film and music personalities. More than 50 million people tuned in for the show’s finale in 1992 when the “King of Late Night” ended his 30 year reign.
Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson: Fort Lauderdale (ca. 1968)
Johnny Carson, Governor Claude Kirk and Dick Pope at Cypress Gardens: Winter Haven (May 4, 1968)
Florida State Representative Mario Diaz-Balart wearing his “Kiss Me, I’m Cuban” button: Tallahassee, Florida (1990)
September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
Cruz Josefina Gomez showing woven fabric: Miami, Florida (September 1985)
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson began Hispanic Heritage week; President Reagan expanded the observation to a month in 1988l; it was enacted into law August 17 of that year.
Jesus Rodriguez playing the Venezuelan harp: Naples, Florida (1988)
The date on which National Hispanic Heritage Month begins is significant as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all celebrate the anniversary of their independence on September 15. Mexican Independence Day closely follows on September 16, and Chile’s falls on the 18. Also included in this month-long observation is Columbus Day on October 12.
Governor Bob Martinez signing a bill: Tallahassee, Florida (July 1, 1987)
The following resources relevant to National Hispanic Heritage Month are available on Florida Memory.
Learning Units
Video
Audio
More information on Hispanic Heritage Month is available from the Library of Congress.
In September 1928, a deadly hurricane swept through the northern Caribbean and across the Florida peninsula. In Florida, the storm became known as the Lake Okeechobee Hurricane, and claimed the lives of more than 2,500 people.
Memorial for the victims of the 1928 hurricane: Belle Glade
Today we remember those who lost their lives during the Lake Okeechobee hurricane of 1928.
Congratulations to Palatka, Main Street Community of the Month for September 2012! Learn more about the Florida Main Street Program.
Passengers aboard the Astatula (1890s)
Front Street and the Saratoga Hotel (ca. 1900)
Putnam House Hotel (ca. 1876)
Search the Florida Photographic Collection to see more images of Palatka and its residents.
The Museum of Florida History invites educators to a special event. Are you a teacher in the Leon County area? Learn about local educational resources that improve teaching and learning in all subject areas.
Hosted by the Museum of Florida History
R. A. Gray Building
500 S. Bronough St.
Downtown Tallahassee
Parking and admission are free.
For information: 850.245.6400
R.A. Gray Building: Tallahassee, Florida
Congratulations to Eustis, Main Street Community of the Month for August 2012! Learn more about the Florida Main Street Program.
Eustis Cornet Band (1885)
Looking down Orange Avenue to Lake Eustis (ca. 1900)
Drug store counter (1912)
Visit Florida Memory to see more images of Eustis and its residents.
Congratulations to Vilano Beach, Main Street Community of the Month for July 2012! Learn more about the Florida Main Street Program.
Mabel Cody performing stunts over Vilano Beach (1924)
Vilano Beach (1962)
Found a great photo of Vilano Beach that we missed? Share it with us in the comments.
Congratulations to Grand Central District in St. Petersburg, Main Street Community of the Month for June 2012! Learn more about the Florida Main Street Program.
Parade down Central Avenue (1912)
Fair and winter exposition parade on Central Avenue (ca. 1900)
Central Avenue (1920s)
Central Avenue (ca. 1950s)
Orange Belt Railway pier extension of Central Avenue (ca. 1896)
Found a great photo of the Grand Central District in St. Petersburg that we missed? Share it with us in the comments.
This interactive webinar focuses on Florida’s role in the Civil War. Archivist Boyd Murphree will discuss the variety of Civil War resources available on the Florida Memory website as well as additional collections housed in the State Library and Archives of Florida.
Florida Memory is a Web initiative by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services. Florida Memory provides free online access to archival documents, films, photographs and sound recordings from the State Library and Archives of Florida.
Thursday, June 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EDT
All you need is a computer, your Internet connection and a telephone to participate. When you attend a live event, you can post questions to the speaker and chat with other participants during the presentation.
If you know that you will be unable to attend the live event but would like to view the recorded webinar, please register. All registrants will automatically receive a follow-up email with the link to view the recorded webinar.
[UPDATE: Go to our Webinars page for free recordings of past sessions.]
Register for this session.
Meeting number: 597 574 200
Once your registration has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the live session. For registration information and assistance, contact:
Kurz and Allison lithographic print of the Battle at Olustee: Olustee Battlefield, Florida
1976 Florida Folk Festival Program
The 60th annual Florida Folk Festival will be held Memorial Day Weekend at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. The Festival began in 1953 under the direction of Sarah Gertrude Knott, and hasn’t skipped a year since, placing it among the longest continuously-running folk festivals in the country.
View of trick roper Danny Coflin performing with Thelma Boltin at the 1970 Florida Folk Festival - White Springs, Florida.
Florida Memory offers extensive resources relating to the Florida Folk Festival, including audio recordings dating back to 1954, thousands of photos, programs from 1953-2006, video footage, and an alphabetical list of Festival performers.
The Beers family performs at the Florida Folk Festival: White Springs (ca. 1960s)
The Florida Folk Festival is a great way to interact with, and learn about music, art, traditional occupations, and foodways unique to the state of Florida. This year, festival goers can expect performances and workshops from Arlo Guthrie, John Anderson, Billy Dean, Frank Thomas, Doug Gauss, and Amy Carol Webb and a myriad of other musicians, storytellers, dancers and artisans.
For more information, please visit the Florida Folk Festival website.
Regional food vendor at the 1978 Florida Folk Festival: White Springs (1978)
