[FHStoday] TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY FOR DECEMBER 9

[Nick Wynne]

TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY
DECEMBER 9
1825            The City of Tallahassee was incorporated today.

1825            Washington County, Florida's twelfth county, was 
established today.  The county was named in honor of President George 
Washington.  The county seat of Washington County is Chipley.

1861            The Calhoun Rangers, activated by Special State Order 83, 
reported for duty today at Camp Milton, near Apalachicola.

1863            The Federal Navy reported the the U.S.S. Circassin would 
serve as a supply ship operating between Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic 
Coast of Florida and the coast of Texas.

1864            The Florida Brigade, consisting of the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 9th, 
10th and 11th Florida Infantry regiments attacked Federal positions at 
Bellfield, Virginia, today after a two-day march.  Federal units refused to 
become involved in combat and the Florida units returned to their camp.

1933            WMBR Radio, founded in Tampa in 1927, was licensed to 
operate in Jacksonville.

1943            Dennis J. Patrick O'Grady, reputed to be the youngest ever 
member of the Florida Seante, was born today in Brooklyn, New 
York.  O'Grady was elected in 1967, following a special court-ordered 
statewide apportionment general election.  When elected, O'Grady was 23 
years and 3 months old.

1960            The New River Tunnel, the first in Florida open to 
vehicular traffic, was opened today.

1985            Polls released today show Floridians joined other Americans 
(47%) who think President Ronald Reagan lied about his knowledge of the 
diversion of funds from the sale of arms to Iran to fund the Contra 
movement in Nicaragua.    Special prosecutor Lawrence E. Walsh, former 
president of the American Bar Association, conducted an investigation of 
the Iran-Contra affair.  Reagan's public approval rating has dropped from 
67% to 46% as a result of the investigation and  congressional hearings on 
the matter.