We celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, family time and BBQs but it’s an often-forgotten fact that when the Declaration of Independence was signed, Florida was still enemy territory. Our state’s path to American statehood was far more complex than the original 13 colonies. Areas that were once bastions of anti-American sentiment are now among Florida’s most patriotic Fourth of July celebrations.
When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, Florida was British territory and remained staunchly loyal to the Crown throughout the Revolutionary War (1775 to 1783). Both East and West Florida refused to send representatives to the Continental Congress. While the 13 colonies celebrated independence, Florida served as a crucial British supply hub, with St. Augustine being a stronghold for stockpiling goods, troops and weaponry against the rebellious Americans.
Florida had a unique Independence Day journey: Spanish territory until 1763, it became British and opposed American independence, then was returned to Spain in 1783 as part of the peace treaty ending the Revolutionary War. Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821 through the Adams-Onís Treaty. Florida didn’t join the country celebrating Independence Day until 45 years after the Declaration was signed, long after the Founding Fathers were gone…