The Florida History Podcast

Florida played a big role in the Watergate Scandal. We discuss all the links on this edition of the podcast. 

Less famous that the demonstrations and riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the protests during the 1968 RNC in Miami were an important event in one of the most critical years in American History. 

Before taking office in 1933, President-Elect Franklin D. Roosevelt was fortunate to escape assassination while giving a speech at Bayfront Park in Miami. The Mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak who was with FDR was hit and died three weeks later. 

In this episode we refresh a podcast we first released in March about the 1918 Pandemic, in light of the spike in cases of the current COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. 

For a second straight week, Michael Grunwald from Politico Magazine and the author of The Swamp joins us to discuss politics and the Florida Everglades. 

Michael Grunwald, author of award-winning book The Swamp and current Politico Magazine writer joins us to discuss the controversy over the building of the Big Cypress Jetport in the late 1960's. We discuss the political and ecological battles that took place in this period. 

The route I-10 takes through the Tallahassee area today was not the original route that was sought. It wasn't even the second or third choice. We discuss that and also other fights about roads through wooded and rural areas of North Florida on this week's Florida History Podcast. 

On this episode of The Florida History Podcast we discuss Spanish Mission in Florida during the 1600's, the collapse of the missions after the English Invasions during Queen Anne's War and how the collapse of the missions destroyed Florida's economy. 

In this episode we discuss Fuller Warren, one of the most controversial and colorful characters in the state's political history. 

On Episode 83 we discuss the Negro Fort (in modern Franklin County) which was a harbor for runaway slaves encouraged by British abolitionists and Spanish officials. Andrew Jackson and the pro-slavery United States destroyed the fort and killed 334 people in 1816, the single biggest resistance by African-Americans to white military power in North America prior to the Civil War. 

Part 2 of our discussion on the 2020 Election in a historical context.

In Episode 81 we discuss Charley Johns infamous Legislative Committee which investigated the NAACP, academics and civil rights groups. It also produced the infamous "purple pamphlet" meant to condemn Homosexuality in Florida. 

On part 1 of our look at Donald Trump's Florida victory in a historical context, Kartik Krishnaiyer is joined by Dave Trotter of VotingTrend.com. Mr. Trotter had the most accurate modeling of Florida's elections in both 2018 and 2020.  Among the topics discussed are the GOP's turning of traditional Democratic areas, Trump's success with Latino voters and the rebuilt Republican horseshoe, a ke...

On the 50th Anniversary of the 1970 Election which saw the statewide elevation of Lawton Chiles and Reubin Askew as well as the defeat of prominent Republicans we look back at that crazy cycle in Florida. 

On this week's Florida History Podcast we discuss the oldest community of continued settled Floridians of European descent- the Minorcans of St Augustine. 

15 years ago this week, South Florida was devastated by Hurricane Wilma. 

Three Florida forts played critical roles in the Civil War. We discuss them on this week's podcast. 

Florida was one of the epicenters of the Centennial and Bicentennial year Presidential Elections.

Beginning with Harry Truman's Little White House through Mar-a-Lago and Donald Trump, Florida has since the 1940's been a frequent Presidential retreat. 

From the 1970's to the 1990's, Florida with its governing principles and quality of life amenities became a hub for tech innovation. the IBM PC was created in Boca Raton by a Florida-born and raised engineer. Also many other high tech startups and established companies called Florida home at the time. We discuss this history on this week's podcast.

In the late 1980's Florida saw two major film studio plan and build studio-related amusement parks in Central Florida. We discuss it here. 

In 1872, Florida in midst of Reconstruction was the site of great political intrigue as both the sitting Governor and sitting Lt. Governor claimed the office. 

The 1935 Keys Hurricane is the strongest on record to ever hit the United States. It was a tragedy that saw hundreds of World War I veterans lose their lives. We discuss the Bonus Army protest, the eventual deployment of many of the veterans to Florida and the tragic events of September 1-2, 1935. 

On the 15th Anniversary of Katrina we look back at the tragic storm's impacts on both south Florida and the Panhandle. . 

We look back at the history of EPCOT Center and the involvement of the state in the building of the Disney park. We also discuss Florida's heady days of the 1980's when the state was at the cutting edge of the technology and aerospace industries.