[Fhstoday] TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY FOR NOVEMBER 14

[Nick Wynne]

TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY 
NOVEMBER 14   
     
1821 General Andrew Jackson followed his letter of resignation as governor of
Florida with a second letter to President James Monroe urging quick acceptance
of his resignation, because “I am truly wearied of public life.  I want rest.”

1861 Governor John Milton sent an urgent request to the Confederate War
Department seeking the transfer of military supplies brought into Savannah by
the blockade runner, Fingal.  

1862 A Federal expedition from Pensacola, which included five boats, a special
work gang, and sixty U.S. marines, headed along the coast to St. Andrews Bay
with orders to destroy all salt works located between the two ports.

1863 It was reported today that Confederate ships had captured two Union coal
schooners near Perdido Bay today.  One was destroyed by fire.  

1868 A three day election was held statewide under U.S. Army supervision to
elect representatives to a constitutional convention  to write a new governing
document for the state in order to meet the requirements of the “Radical”
Republican Congress. 
1913 Former United States Senator George A. Smathers was born today in
Atlantic
City, New Jersey.  In a bitter campaign against Claude Pepper, Smathers was
elected to the U.S. Senate on November 7, 1950.  Prior to his senatorial
service, he had served as Assistant U.S. District Attorney, as a special
assistant to the Attorney General, and as a two-term member of the United
States House of Representatives.

1969 Today the Apollo 12 space mission was launched from Cape Canaveral.  This
was mankind’s second effort to land on the Moon.  Apollo 12 astronauts were
Charles Conrad, Jr., Richard F. Gordon, Jr., and Alan F. Bean.  On November
19,
Bean and Conrad had a successful 32-hour stay on the Moon.  In recognition of
their successful venture and upon the return to Earth, President Richard M.
Nixon called them aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet to express his thanks and
the gratitude of the people of the United States.  He also informed them that
had all been given promotions.

1979 Alcee Hastings of Fort Lauderdale was appointed a Federal District Judge
by President Jimmy Carter.  Hastings was the first African-American to
serve in
this position in Florida.  A controversial figure, Hastings was impeached and
removed from office by the United States Senate.  he was subsequently elected
to the national House of representatives.