Florida Department of State

We are happy to share that everything is secure at the R.A. Gray Building after yesterday’s fire.  Staff assessed the building, and while there is minor damage to the facility, our core collections in the State Archives of Florida, Museum of Florida History, and State Library are safe.  Thank you to the Tallahassee Fire Department, @CityofTLH, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, @fdlepio, and Capitol Police for working quickly to save Florida’s most precious documents and artifacts! We look forward to getting everything back to normal operations next week.

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was born #OTD in 1875. Despite having just $1.50 to her name, she opened a school in Daytona Beach in 1904. Today, Bethune-Cookman University is one of Florida’s foremost HBCUs, with nearly 3,000 students pursuing degrees in various fields. A statue of Dr. McLeod Bethune is located in National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.  More information on the National Statuary Hall Collection can be found here: visitthecapitol.gov/apps/nshc/ Photo credit: Mary McLeod Bethune with a line of girls from the school. 1911 (circa). State Archives of Florida, @FLMemory.

As preparations are underway for the 2026 elections, Secretary of State @CordByrd was in Manatee County visiting Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington. Working closely with local elections officials, we uphold Florida’s reputation as the gold standard in elections administration! To learn more about Florida elections, visit dos.fl.gov/elections/

Secretary of State @CordByrd reads the Declaration of Independence as part of 'Sharing the Spirit of America.' dos.fl.gov/communications… #SharingtheSpiritofAmerica

#OTD in 1974, Dorothy Glisson was sworn in as the first woman to serve as Florida’s Secretary of State and Florida’s first female cabinet officer. She was appointed by Governor Reubin Askew to serve the remainder of Secretary Richard Stone’s term after he resigned to run for U.S. Senate. Glisson’s career would span nearly four decades, including stints as the Director of the Division of Elections and Secretary of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Photo Credit: Mrs. Dorothy Glisson taking the oath of office from Supreme Court Justice B.K. Roberts - Tallahassee, Florida. 1974-07-08. State Archives of Florida, @FLMemory floridamemory.com/items/show/259…

Hear Secretary of State @CordByrd read the Declaration of Independence tonight at 6 p.m. (EST) as part of 'Sharing the Spirit of America.' More here: dos.fl.gov/communications… #SharingtheSpiritofAmerica

Are you ready to Rock? Today is National Rock and Roll Day, and some of the biggest names in Rock and Roll hail from the sunshine state, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom petty and the Heartbreakers, and the Eagles. Rock on with this link, detailing more of our state’s contributions to one of the most prolific music genres in history. floridamusictours.com/music-tours-by… Photo credit: Gerber, Harmony. Photo-Grafitti. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Fonda Theater, Los Angeles, CA, 2014. Licensed under Creative Commons. @CultureBuildsFL

Secretary of State @CordByrd visited Florida’s newest election supervisors recently including @Lee_Elections Supervisor of Elections @jenna_persons. As Florida’s Chief Elections Officer, Secretary Byrd meets with every local supervisor in their offices ensuring a collaborative working relationship between the Division of Elections and local supervisors. For more information about Florida elections, visit dos.fl.gov/elections/.

America’s Bicentennial played an important part in how we preserve history today. On this Semiquincentennial, learn how historic preservation helped shape Florida’s unique story with this Department of State Unsealed Podcast. Listen here: dos.fl.gov/unsealed-podca…

Today we celebrate 250 years of Liberty! Although Florida was not one of the original thirteen colonies, the territory played a strategic role during the Revolutionary War and later became part of the United States through the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1821. Learn more about @America250FL including historic sites, events, and documentaries at america250fl.com. Photo credit: Boy with sparkler at Fourth of July celebration. 1969. State Archives of Florida, @FLMemory.

Free Activity! The Department of State is at the Great American State Fair! If you’re in Washington D.C., visit the Florida Pavillion for a variety of educational activities. No matter where you are, you can Celebrate the Spirit of 76 with your family and these fun children’s crafts! Get the free download here: dos.fl.gov/florida-facts/….

ICYMI: Secretary of State @CordByrd sat down with Dalia Dangerfield from @MyNews13 to discuss the upcoming 250th Anniversary of our country. In the interview, Secretary Byrd reflected on our nation’s history about how blessed we are to live in the United States. Watch the full segment here: mynews13.com/fl/orlando/in-…

We are excited to announce that resources to support libraries in celebrating @America250FL are available on the Division of Library and Information Services website here: dos.fl.gov/library-archiv… Inspired by The Yearling and the tenacious spirit of Floridians who have shaped life in our state's scrub and homestead landscapes, these printable materials celebrate resilience, family and the adventures that reading can bring. Libraries can use or adapt these resources for summer programs or weave them into year-round displays, activities and community engagement. READ, WHITE & BLUE: Celebrate Florida's stories. Spark curiosity. Support reading all summer and all year long!

Today, Secretary of State @CordByrd joined @GovRonDeSantis and @VISITFLORIDA President and CEO @BryanDGriffin to unveil the Liberty Bell statue at Liberty High School in Bristol. Secretary Byrd said, “Thomas Jefferson, upon the completion of the Louisiana Purchase, said he wanted America to be an ‘Empire of Liberty.’ With America hosting the world cup, international visitors have been able to experience that America truly is an Empire of Liberty. On this July 4th, I hope all Floridians proclaim liberty throughout the land.” For more information about @America250FL, visit america250fl.com.

#OTD in 1945, the Dunedin Isles Golf Club, which is celebrating its 100-Year anniversary, became the first home course of the Professional Golf Association (PGA). The PGA Merchandise show also began at Dunedin, an annual event which today sees over 33,000 attendees. To learn more about Dunedin Golf Club, one of the courses along Florida’s Historic Golf Trail and the @America250FL Golf Trail, visit floridahistoricgolftrail.com/courses/dunedi…

Secretary of State @CordByrd joined @GovRonDeSantis and @VISITFLORIDA President & CEO @BryanDGriffin to unveil a statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Villages as part of @America250FL. Secretary Byrd said, “It’s been an honor to travel the state, to unveil these statues, to remind us, how privileged and blessed we are, to live in the greatest, freest country in the world.” For more information about America250FL, visit america250fl.com

How well do you know your Florida history? You can find out with The Florida Memory Timeline Challenge – a brand-new interactive feature from Florida Memory! As we celebrate America250FL, @FLMemory and the State Archives of Florida invite you to test your knowledge of American Revolution History by sorting a series of cards featuring historical events, figures and documents in their correct chronological order. Of course, Florida has been writing its own unique chapter in American History long before 1776, and the Florida Memory Timeline Challenge covers all of Florida’s history, from its earliest inhabitants all the way through the 21st century. The challenge features over 200 events across numerous categories. Florida Memory Timeline Challenge: floridamemory.com/learn/classroo…

#OTD in 1817, General Gregor MacGregor captured Amelia Island from Spain. MacGregor led a force of around 150 men to Fort San Carlos; however, through a network of spies within the Spanish ranks, and by spreading rumors throughout Fernandina, MacGregor was able to convince the Spanish residents that his army was over 1,000 men strong! Subsequently, the Spanish fled upon his attack. To learn more, visit markers.flheritage.com/home/details/5….

Today is National Orange Blossom Day. In 1909, the Orange Blossom was named Florida’s state flower. Did you know that oranges came to Florida with Spanish explorers during the 1500s? To learn more about the State Flower, check out: dos.fl.gov/florida-facts/… @FLMemory