Key West 200 Years of Paradise

Key West 200 Years of Paradise

The Florida Keys are celebrating their bicentennial in 2023 the 200th anniversary of the Florida Territorial Legislature’s establishment of Monroe County, which contains the entire Keys Island chain, that took place July 3, 1823. Several events will be taking place to celebrate these momentous occasions including Subsequent 200th anniversary events including Naval Air Station Key West’s Southernmost Air Spectacular Bicentennial Celebration at Lower Keys Rotary’s 3td July Fireworks Celebration at Big Pine Key Community Park Fireworks. The Florida Keys will attempt to regain the rightful reign of having the world’s largest Key Lime Pie and will be creating a 13.14-foot pie to be served. The commission couldn’t be more delighted than to express or enlightenment on the celebration can be quoted saying, “We are excited to celebrate 200 years of Monroe County with our community through events like this taking place throughout the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln. “The sunset celebration will be a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to come together and enjoy an evening of fun and festivity in the Middle Keys.” https://apnews.com/article/florida-keys-bicentennial-key-lime-pie-bac440240609bac560127f6f7a8a486d The keys were originally inhabited by such Native American peoples as the Calusa and Tequesta. The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León visited the area in 1513. The first permanent settlers arrived about 1822 and engaged in fishing and salvaging shipwrecks. https://www.southernmostbeachresort.com/blog/celebrating-200-years-of-monroe-county-and-the-u-s-navy-in-key-west/

The native aborigines and subsequent native groups were the first settlers of Key West. The Europeans were tourists for its first 300 odd years of historic existence. Europeans stopped for fresh water on these islands, which stood as silent as the martyrs for which they were first named. These Festivities throughout 2023 will illustrate ways the island chain’s vivid history has contributed to its present-day character and atmosphere, milestones that have contributed to its evolution since 1823, and the spirit and sense of community that underlie the Keys’ distinctive lifestyle. https://drifttravel.com/the-florida-keys-200-years-of-paradise-bicentenary-year/ This a Celebration of Florida History and the events that transpired to make this part of Florida what it is Today. Florida doesn’t have a lot of defining moments but, this part of Florida has some much intricate history that it would be hard not to look past it, this is truly Florida’s Paradise.