Florida: Sea, Shells, & Smells

This Day in History: March 3, 1845

Florida,  the Sunshine State

One of Florida's biggest attractions is Disney World!

Florida is renown for its white sand beaches.
Image Source: www.flickr.com

Florida's nickname is The Sunshine State, adopted officially by Florida legislature in 1970. Florida is the fourth most-populated state in the country, and it's beaches draw thousands of tourists every year. Most of the state has a humid subtropical climate, except for the southern part below Lake Okeechobee (which has a true tropical climate).

 

Aerial America: Florida

Explore the grassy waters, sandy shores, and intriguing history of Florida. From big orange groves to Little Havana, from launching rockets to hanging chads, the Sunshine State offers spectacular views and seminal moments that are uniquely its own. Soar over the metropolis of Miami and the spring break mecca: Panama City. This is a first-class Floridian vacation, and you have a window seat!

On March 3, 1845, Florida becomes the 27th U.S. state. Florida was named Pascua Florida by explorer Ponce de Leon on Easter in 1513. Translation: means "Flowery Easter" or "Flowering Easter" (after Spain's "Feast of the Flowers" Easter celebration). The Territory of Florida was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 30, 1822 until March 3, 1845, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Florida. 

Floridais a state in the southeastern region of the United States

Florida State Flag

The original 1868 state flag of Florida was simply the Florida State Seal centered on a field of white. In the 1890's, Florida's governor suggested adding the red cross so the flag would not look like a banner of truce or surrender when hanging limp on a flagpole. Florida voters agreed, and the St. Andrew's Cross was added in 1900 (Confederate battle flags also featured a St. Andrew's Cross). Many banners have flown over Florida prior to 1868: the flags of Spain, France, Great Britain, the Confederate States, & the national flag of the USA.

Florida Great Seal

Florida State Bird: Northern Mockingbird

The official state bird of Florida is the mockingbird.
Northern Mockingbirds have extraordinary vocal abilities -
they can sing up to 200 songs, including the songs of other birds,
insect and amphibian sounds, even an occasional mechanical noise.
The Northern Mockingbird is also the state bird of
Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi.

 Yellow & Red Coreopsis

Photo by Thomas Knox on Flickr

Florida designated coreopsis as the official state wildflower in 1991. Coreopsis ranges in color from golden to pink and has been planted extensively in Florida for highway beautification programs.

 Orange Blossom, the state flower of Florida

The blossom of the orange tree is one of the most fragrant flowers in Florida. Millions of white flowers from orange trees perfume the air in central and southern Florida during orange blossom time. Florida also recognizes the orange as official state fruit and orange juice as the state beverage.

 For the State Symbols of Florida click HERE! 

Florida State Song

Until 2007, it was tradition to perform the official state song The Swanee River (Old Folks at Home, adopted in 1935) as part of the inauguration ceremony for incoming Florida governors. The song was not included in the 2007 inauguration ceremony because it is seen by some as showing racism toward black Americans. The original lyrics refer to "darkies" and "a-longin' for the old plantation" (the song is sung from a black man's perspective). The composer, Stephen Foster, supported the North in the American Civil War and sympathized with black Americans.

 Florida State Anthem

In 2007, the Florida Music Educators Association worked in partnership with Senator Tony Hill and Representative Ed Homan to invite Florida's citizens to submit their entries for a new state song. In January, 2008, the song Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky) was selected as the winner and will be presented to the state legislature as a possible replacement for "Old Folks at Home." In 2008 instead of being replaced, "Old Folks" was maintained as the state song with Florida becoming the state anthem.

Sea, Shells, & Smells

 What calls you home?

A trip to the beach implies—

Seagulls in flight, crashing waves, sandy toes

Ocean spray in a gaping mouth

Tangy sea air infiltrating the nose

A walk on the beach uncovers—

Sand castles, starfish, sand dollars, seashells

Sea crabs among beds of sea grass

Aromatic scents of salty sea smells

A day at the beach commands—

Sun-drenched skin, tan lines

A picnic on a beach blanket

Undertow warning signs

A ride along the beach intends—

Time for healing to begin

Fresh air slapping the face

Sea smells blowing in the wind

What is this pungent sea smell?

It’s in the air, in the sand

Among dead crab-shells

Spreading from sea to land

It's tiny pearls of inspiration
Scattered along a seashore of decay
Bits, pieces of nature's poignant gifts
Waiting to be found another day

It's the flight of imagination

Inhaling, exhaling with the tide

Nostalgic moments to be captured

Bringing emotions outside inside

 It is the sea—

The shells, the smells

Surrounding the shoreline

Calling me home

©2012 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

Take a walk on the beach. It's a great way to clear your mind. 

And as you walk along the beach you might never know what you'll find.

—Debbie Bongiovanni-Sharp (Uplifting and inspiring Poet, n.d.)

Florida Facts and Trivia

Next state by month: #14 Vermont - Mar 4, 1791