This might not be news, but it is history and a vital part of Spanish / American history. On July 17, 1821, Spain formally turned over East and West Florida to the U.S. in a ceremony in Pensacola.

General Andrew Jackson, first governor of Florida, represented the U.S. Jackson quickly organized East Florida and what was left of West Florida into a single territory with two counties.

Pensacola and St. Autgustine were still the centers of the only substantially developed areas of the state. At first the territorial council alternated meeting in the two cities, but the land journey between them took some twenty days, and the sea voyage was always included the danger of shipwreck.

In 1823 Tallahassee, a former Indian town located approximately half-way between Pensacola and St. Augustine, was selected as the site for the territorial capital.

Also, not directly related in any way, on 17th July 1955 Disneyland opens its doors for the first time.