The Florida Bicentennial: Celebrating A 200-Year-Old Love Story with the United States
This year marks the Florida Bicentennial, meaning the Sunshine State has been with the United States for 200 years. (Congratulations to the happy couple!)
That’s a long time, but believe it or not, Florida and the United States haven’t always been an item. In fact, Florida once belonged to Spain. Renowned Spanish explorer and searcher for the Fountain of Youth, Ponce de Leon, claimed the land in 1513, and he named it “La Florida” – abounding in flowers.1
It was love at first sight.
So, what happened to woo Florida away from Spain? Did she simply like cheeseburgers and football better than gazpacho and bullfighting? (Yes, I am aware cheeseburgers weren’t “a thing” in 1821.)
Well, like any good romance story, it’s a little more complicated than that. The story of how Florida got together with the U.S. involves war, intrigue, and the historical figure with the most entertaining biography ever: John Quincy Adams. (No, seriously, he had a pet alligator at the White House.)
So buckle up and get ready to head back in time, to July of 1821 – and prepare yourself – this love story is no Hallmark movie.
The One That Got Away
The year was 1762. Spain and Florida had been going steady for almost 250 years. But trouble was brewing.
Their neighbors, France and Great Britain were duking it out. Again. (This time the fight was over control of North America, and was taking place on North American territory.)
This dispute became known as the French and Indian War, or the Seven Years’ War, and it would change not only the course of American history but Florida history as well.
By 1762, the war had been waging for several years, and Spanish King Charles III was tired of watching his cousin, French King Louis XV, get beat up by Britain. Family ties turned into a formal alliance, and Britain was about to be double-teamed. Victory seemed certain…
Until “British naval strength and Spanish ineffectiveness led to British success.”2 (Ineffectiveness?? Harsh!)
By entering the war, Spain had recklessly put Florida on the frontline, and the gamble turned out like a bad game of blackjack: they lost their beloved to the British (as outlined in the Treaty of Paris).3
Let’s be honest, though. No one stands a chance against a sexy, British accent.
But Spain didn’t forget about Florida. No, it was just a matter of biding their time…
Florida, Come Back! (You Can Blame it All on Spain)
Fast forward just a couple more years and more conflict was bubbling in North America. The British colonies were unhappy with their lack of voice in the ruling government across the sea. There was a tea party, independence was declared, and war began.
Which begs the question: if Florida was also a British colony during the Revolution, why wasn’t the Florida Bicentennial decades ago, around the time of our nation’s bicentennial?
Well…Florida didn’t take part in the Revolution with the other 13 colonies. In fact, “unlike the northern colonies, Florida did not have problems with Britain,” and British Loyalists from other colonies moved down to St. Augustine.4
I guess Florida wasn’t too heartbroken about the breakup with Spain. In fact, Florida seemed rather fond of her new beau.
But Spain really, really missed Florida.
So, naturally, Spain took their chance and got back together with Florida (read: invaded Florida) while Britain was preoccupied with the 13 rebels up North.
By 1781, Spain had secured the affections of West Florida again, and at the end of the Revolution, Britain was too exhausted to care and handed over the rest of Florida via the Second Treaty of Paris.5
Florida never even had a chance to talk to the new guy on the block, that United States punk.
Spain’s love had conquered all! Right?
Well, as we mentioned earlier, Florida’s population was largely British now. Which didn’t bode well for another long-term relationship with Spain.6
Sorry, Spain – We’ve Moved On
In the following years, Spain and the newly-formed United States began bickering over Florida.
(Florida likes me better! No, Florida loves me!)
By 1810, Florida was tired of being treated like a she wasn’t even there and voiced her own opinion on the matter: she wanted independence from Spain.7 They were simply too clingy!
(Well, the settlers in West Florida said so, anyway.)
President James Madison and U.S. Congress used the opportunity to ingratiate themselves with Florida and claimed the Western region.8 Yup, that’s right, the U.S. was Mr. Steal Your Girl. However, the relationship wasn’t Facebook official yet (that is, no one recognized the claim).
And thus the battle for Florida’s whole heart began in earnest between the United States and Spain, carrying on for several more years through a series of negotiations. Spain was obviously losing its grip on Florida, but the United States hadn’t quite won her over, either.
It seemed Florida was playing hard to get.
But the U.S. was nothing if not forward, and in 1819, General Andrew Jackson seized Spanish forts in Florida and authorized raids on Seminoles and escaped slaves in the territory. As if the United States owned the place. (Which they did not.)
President James Monroe thought about denouncing Jackson’s brash tactics, but Vice President John Quincy Adams had a better idea – to declare the United States’ undying love for Florida. After all, declarations were kind of their thing now.
So, Adams issued an ultimatum to Spanish diplomat, Don Luis de Onís: “control the inhabitants of East Florida or cede it to the United States!”9
It was to be a lover’s duel!
In the end, Adams succeeded in his diplomatic coup, and the Adams- Onís Treaty, or the Purchase of Florida Treaty, was signed, bringing the entire territory of Florida into the arms of the United States.10 (In exchange for Florida’s hand, the U.S. assumed payment of up to $5 million in claims made by U.S. citizens against Spain.11 You know, about the price of your average engagement ring.)
The United States and Florida made things official in 1821, as ceremonies were held both in St. Augustine (July 10th) and in Pensacola (July 17th), where Spanish flags were exchanged for the red, white, and blue.12
“There stood the flagstaff from which still floated the Spanish colors. At a signal from General Jackson the American flag ascended. Meeting halfway, the two flags rested together as if to declare friendship, then the flag of our country ascended and the Spanish flag was lowered. Florida was now a Territory of the United States.”
A History of Florida, 1904
Florida Bicentennial: Still Together After 200 Years
Now in 2021, we’re celebrating the Florida Bicentennial.
(And Spain said we’d never make it. Ha!)
This relationship might’ve had an unconventional start – and a few bumps in the past 200 years – but today Florida is still the apple (or should I say orange?) of the United States’ eye. Home to Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, and key lime pie, I’d say “for better or for worse” has been pretty darn good.
Happy 200 years, Florida!!
How are you celebrating the Florida Bicentennial? Let us know in the comments below!
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