2 Minute History Florida

Florida, known as the "Sunshine State," has a rich and diverse history that dates back to its Indigenous inhabitants, including the Seminole and Timucua tribes. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León claimed Florida for Spain in 1513, leading to the establishment of St. Augustine in 1565, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the U.S. After changing hands between Spain and Britain, Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821 and was admitted as the 27th state in 1845. The state experienced significant conflict during the Seminole Wars, as the U.S. government sought to remove the Seminole people from their lands. Today, Florida is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its tourism, diverse population, and vibrant landscapes.