America 250 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, commemorating the United States and the enduring ideals of liberty, democracy and civic responsibility. This once-in-a-generation milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the people, events and principles that have shaped the nation over two and a half centuries, while recognizing the ongoing work of building a more perfect union.
As the nation approaches this historic anniversary, America 250 invites communities to explore the past, celebrate progress and engage in meaningful conversations about the future. Through education, reflection and civic participation, the commemoration seeks to inspire a deeper understanding of America鈥檚 history and a renewed commitment to the values that continue to define it.
A quick-scroll timeline of 25 hand-picked events connecting America鈥檚 250th to Florida, Southwest Florida, and 麻豆女郎 milestones.
The American Revolution began. Florida did not join its fellow thirteen English colonies in the revolution and remained loyal to England. Its previously sparse population swelled overnight as Tories escaped into loyalist Florida, mostly settling in St. Augustine.
The Louisiana Purchase encompassed 530,000,000 acres of territory in North America that the United States purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million.
Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. under the Adams-On铆s Treaty, signed on February 22, 1819, though the formal transfer of power occurred later.
Andrew Jackson returned to Florida in 1821 to establish a new territorial government on behalf of the United States.
Florida became the 27th state.
Fort Myers, Florida, was a U.S. Army post established on February 20, 1850, by Major Samuel C. Ridgely. It was named for Captain Abraham C. Myers, the son-in-law of Major General David E. Twiggs, who ordered the fort built. It was built on the site of earlier Fort Harvie.
On May 10, 1869 the transcontinental railroad was completed. One day later, the first transcontinental freight train rumbled out of California on its way to the east coast.
World-renowned inventor, Thomas Edison, and his friend and business partner, Ezra Gilliland, traveled to Florida in the winter of 1885 looking for a place to relax and warm weather. They found both in abundance in the frontier town (population 349) of Fort Myers. Edison purchased a 13-acre piece of land on the Caloosahatchee River for $2,750. Soon after, Edison sketched a plan for his winter retreat, including houses, a laboratory, and extensive gardens.
Walter N. Haldeman founded Naples.
Punta Gorda was officially incorporated as a city in 1887, marking its transition from a small coastal settlement into an organized municipality and reinforcing its role in regional trade, fishing, and transportation along Florida鈥檚 Gulf Coast.
鈥淏elle,鈥� 鈥淏elle City,鈥� and 鈥淟aBelle鈥� began to be used as names for the tiny new settlement populated by cattle drovers and trappers straddling the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in both Lee and DeSoto Counties as early as 1889.
Edward Vose Babcock purchased the 91,000-acre tract of land known as Crescent B Ranch in 1914. At the time, the Babcock Ranch property stretched across a significant portion of Southwest Florida and was used for logging and agriculture.
Charlotte County was created from DeSoto County in 1921, recognizing the region鈥檚 population growth and economic development along Southwest Florida鈥檚 Gulf Coast. The county鈥檚 establishment formalized local governance for communities including Punta Gorda.
The Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), linking Miami and Naples through the Everglades, officially opened to travelers on this date. Construction on the east-west section of the road lasted for 12 years. Once completed, cars could travel east from Naples to Miami for the first time.
Named for Capt. Richard Channing Moore Page, the former Lee County Airport was leased to the Army Air Force in February 1942. Operated by the 3rd Air Force, B-24 groups trained here and conducted submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico.
Historically, the Everglades spanned from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes down to Florida Bay and the Keys. In the early 1900s, development redirected natural water flow east and west, reshaping the ecosystem.
Edison Junior College opened in temporary quarters at the Andrew Gwynne Institute, with a second center at Dunbar High School.
Edison Junior College opened its first campus (Lee Campus) on an 80-acre site off Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers.
Cape Coral is incorporated following a decade-long population boom.
鈥淭he Tampa bypass portion of Interstate 75 began construction mid-July 1979, and would take seven years to complete. When the final piece opened July 1986, I-75 was seamless between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Alligator Alley in Naples.鈥�
ECC opened the Collier Campus, located in Lely Resort in Naples.
ECC opened the Charlotte Campus on a 204-acre site on Airport Road in Punta Gorda.
Edison College changed its name to Edison State College, reflecting the institution's advanced status as a baccalaureate-granting state college.
Edison State College Hendry/Glades Center became 麻豆女郎鈥檚 fourth location in LaBelle.
Edison State College becomes Florida SouthWestern State College.