[FHStoday] TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY FOR NOVEMBER 20

[Nick Wynne]

TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY 
NOVEMBER 20   
     
1817 The first elections for Representatives of “The Republic of the Floridas”
were held at Fernandina.  Jared Irwin, former U.S. Representative from
Pennsylvania, was later elected president of this enterprise.  Spanish
authorities were “less than thrilled” by this blatant American effort to wrest
a portion of Florida from its control.

1854 The Florida Baptist Convention was organized today in Madison.

1861 Floridians learned that 27 members of the crew of the Confederate
schooner, Beauregard, were lodged in the Monroe County jail in Key West
following the capture on their vessel by the Unions ship, William G. Anderson,
on November 12.

1862 The U.S.S. Montgomery captured the Confederate sloop William E. Chester
near Pensacola Bay today.

1910 Florida motion picture companies, operating largely in studios around
Jacksonville, were heartened today when it was announced that more than
120,000
projectors had been sold nationwide.

1924 The George S. Gandy Bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg was
officially
opened today by Governor Cary S. Hardee.

1962 The first legal papers creating a condominium association were filed
today
in Palm Beach County Clerk of Court’s office.