Cord Byrd

San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park is one of the many @FLStateParks with a long, fascinating history, and every dig has helped uncover centuries of stories layered beneath its soil. Archaeologists have been studying this site for decades, revealing evidence of Spanish and British occupations, as well as the deep Indigenous history that came before. Excavations have uncovered fort foundations, trade goods, pottery, tools and everyday objects that paint a vivid picture of life at this strategic coastal outpost. San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park a place where history is still being uncovered, one artifact at a time.

It’s National Coin Week! This 1835 US Classic Head Copper Half Cent features Lady Liberty on the front. Made of 100 percent copper, this coin is part of the collections at the Museum of Florida History. More here: museumoffloridahistory.com/visit/union-ba… @MuseumFLHistory

@CordByrd @StateAffairsFL Full episode here! pro.stateaffairs.com/fl/podcast/flo…

It was a lot of fun to join @TheDaraKam to discuss @America250FL and upcoming election law changes. Give it a listen!

Florida football legend Steve Spurrier was born #OTD in Miami Beach. Honored as a “Great Floridian” by the Department of State, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1966 while playing for the University of Florida and went on to coach the Gators to six Southeastern Conference championships and a consensus national championship in 1996. See all the Great Floridians here: dos.fl.gov/historical/pre… @GatorsFB

#OTD in 1775 the American Revolutionary War began. While often overlooked in the traditional narrative of the 13 Colonies, Florida played an important role in the War for Independence. Sometimes referred to as the “14th colony,” because of its strategic location along the Gulf, many countries including the United States, France, and Spain were interested in taking possession of Florida. Painting: La Florida by Christopher Still Learn more about Florida’s history during the Revolutionary War here: museumoffloridahistory.com/learn/learning… @MuseumFLHistory

On March 6, 1865, the Battle of Natural Bridge was fought near a natural limestone bridge over the St. Marks River south of Tallahassee, ending in a Confederate victory. Confederate troops, including Florida Military School cadets, repelled Union forces and made Tallahassee the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi not captured by Union troops. Today, the site is a state park hosting annual living history reenactments, including portrayals of Black Union infantry. The park can be explored as part of Florida’s America 250 Road Trip: america250fl.com/roadtrip/ @MyFDOT

#OTD in 1925, the @univmiami was chartered. The developer of Coral Gables, George Merrick, donated 160 acres of land and $5 million to get the school started. As of 2025, the private research university enrolled 20,104 students in two colleges and eight schools. @FLMemory

#ICYMI on March 17, Secretary of State @CordByrd announced the Department’s acquisition of 51 historic artifacts donated by the 1715 Fleet Society. The objects come from the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet shipwreck off Florida’s Atlantic coast. Read more about the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet and donation here: dos.fl.gov/communications… Photo: Artifacts from the donated collection. These items are believed to be parts of a silver candelabra.

The Midnight Ride On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere made his legendary horseback ride to warn of British movements before the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. If you are in Tallahassee, you can learn more about it in “The Founders Museum, The Road to Liberty” exhibit on display in the Lower Level (LL) of the Florida Capitol.

#OTD in 1963 work began on the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America’s first undersea park! Visitors didn’t have to wait long! The park opened just a month later. Learn more about the history of the park here: floridamemory.com/items/show/295… @FLMemory @FLStateParks @America250FL

Few places in Florida have as long of a history delighting families and vacationers as Edward Ball Wakulla Springs @FLStateParks. Since the 1930s, the spring and Wakulla River have been a staple of Florida recreation. Now one of @FLStateParks, visiting feels like stepping back in time to a place where nature, history and family tradition flow together as smoothly as the spring itself. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park Photo: Courtesy of @FLMemory, 1952 #FLStateParks #WakullaSprings #America250FL

It was my great honor this week to welcome and host King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on their working visit to Florida. Maritime trade, hurricane preparedness and resiliency and the celebration of @America250FL were topics of discussion. We look forward to the ongoing friendship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Florida. 🇺🇸🇳🇱

"Not forward but backward..." Justice Clarence Thomas quotes President Coolidge's Sesquicentennial Speech...in Austin and in the WSJ:

This is such an amazing place. It’s hard to get to, but so worth it!

Did you know that Florida is home to the third-largest veteran population in the country? Their stories tell the history of America, and the Major John Leroy Haynes Florida Veterans’ History Program is making sure their voices are never forgotten! For more information and to learn how you can participate, visit dos.fl.gov/cultural/progr… @America250FL

The next stop on Florida’s America 250 Road Trip was founded in 1851 as the West Florida Seminary. Later the Florida State College for Women, it was renamed Florida State University in 1947 when it became a coeducational institution to serve returning WWII veterans. Today, FSU excels in academics and athletics and remains a vibrant part of Florida’s history. Click the link for more information: america250fl.com/roadtrip/ @MyFDOT

It’s always a privilege to be in Polk County and @BokTower. Today with @GovRonDeSantis and in continued celebration of @America250FL we unveiled a statute of President Calvin Coolidge who spoke at the dedication of Bok Tower in 1929. 🇺🇸

Just as the United States entered World War I in April 1917, America’s first dirigible airship made its inaugural flight right here in Florida. The DN-1 sailed above Santa Rosa Island, circled over Pensacola, and returned to Pensacola Naval Air Station. Learn more about the dirigible and this historic flight on Florida Memory here: floridamemory.com/items/show/332… @FLMemory @Navy_Region_SE

On April 14, 2014, SpaceX signed a 20- year lease for Launch Complex 39A — the very pad that launched Apollo 11 and the first Space Shuttle. The move marked the dawn of Florida's commercial space era. Today, that pad sees dozens of launches per year and has helped make Cape Canaveral the busiest spaceport on Earth. The future was always made here. #America250FL @SpaceFlorida @SpaceX