Governor Ron DeSantis announces statewide commemoration of America’s 250th birthday
Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
VERO BEACH, Fla. — On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a slate of statewide events, exhibits, and public initiatives to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, occurring in 2026. America 250 Florida marks the state’s official observance of America’s semiquincentennial and will host and help sponsor special events throughout the year for Floridians from all corners of the state to enjoy.
“As we celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary, Florida rejects the concerted efforts to malign our nation’s history, distort the principles of the founding, and demonize our founders,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are planning a series of events, exhibits, and opportunities statewide for Floridians to celebrate the ‘Spirit of ’76.’ Florida is proud to lead with celebrations that promote civic virtue, historical education, and patriotic pride.”
“This isn’t just another history lesson — the Governor is spearheading a movement to restore our Founding Fathers to their rightful place in history,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “We have a duty to teach the next generation about the principles our Founding Fathers enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. America’s Semiquincentennial is a great time to do that.”
“Florida is proud to celebrate our great nation,” said President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA Bryan Griffin. “At Governor DeSantis’ direction, state partners are working together to create meaningful opportunities for residents and visitors to experience American and Florida history and celebrate America. For anyone looking for the right place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, make Florida your choice.”
The year-long commemoration builds on Florida’s early America 250 celebrations and highlights the state’s unique role in the Revolutionary era and throughout American history. Although Florida was not one of the original thirteen colonies, the territory played a strategic role during the Revolutionary War and later became part of the United States through the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1821. As such, Florida has been referred to as the “Fourteenth Colony,” due to its close ties to the original thirteen American colonies.
General George Washington’s Birthday Designated a State Holiday
As part of the announcement, Governor DeSantis proclaimed Washington’s Birthday a Florida state holiday, with state offices closed in observance on Monday, February 16. The state will host Washington’s Birthday Weekend events from February 12–16, honoring the leadership and legacy of General George Washington, America’s first president and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Washington’s Birthday Weekend will also include several opportunities for Floridians to get outside and enjoy Florida’s year-round nice weather:
America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA: The Florida Department of Transportation recently announced a partnership with NASCAR to sponsor the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA, part of Speedweeks and a qualifier leading up to the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500. This race will complement the Fresh From Florida 250, which happens that Friday, February 13, sponsored by Fresh From Florida.
Admissions Waived for All State Lands: All admissions fees will be waived for Floridians at all state parks, wildlife management areas, water management lands, and Department of State historic properties during Washington’s Birthday Weekend.
Exhibits, Statues, and Capitol Displays
The Governor highlighted ongoing and upcoming exhibits, including a new “14th Colony” history exhibit at the Florida Capitol, territorial and historic state flag displays around the Capitol complex, and a Founders Exhibit developed in partnership with the White House. Statues honoring America’s founders have been unveiled across counties bearing their names, with additional dedications planned over the next several months.
In honor of the American Semiquincentennial, “The 14th Colony” contains historical artifacts, works of art, significant documents, unique items, and patriotic memorabilia, presented and curated by the Florida Department of State. The exhibit is located on the 22nd Floor Capitol Gallery and throughout the Capitol. “The 14th Colony” was produced in a partnership between the Division of Historical Resources, Division of Library and Information Services, and the Division of Arts and Culture.
“The 14th Colony” will be on display at the 22nd Floor Capitol Gallery until the end of the 2026 Legislative Session in March; however, other items from the exhibit will be displayed throughout the year on the Plaza Level and Lower Level of the Capitol. The exhibit includes brochures, a children’s activity book, and an online exhibit that is planned for a later date. Hours of operation for the Florida Capitol can be found at floridacapitol.myflorida.com.
Statewide Historical Engagement Opportunities
Governor DeSantis also announced several year-long opportunities for Floridians to celebrate the founding while enjoying the Florida sunshine:
America250FL Golf Trail
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the America250FL Golf Trail, which features some of the state’s historic courses as well as additional participating courses. Participating and historic golf courses will feature commemorative America 250 Florida flags on the 14th hole of their course, symbolizing Florida’s role as the “14th Colony.” To submit your golf course for the America250FL Golf Trail, click here: https://playinflorida.com/america250fl/
14th Colony Heritage Sites & America 250 Florida Road Trip
A curated collection of historic sites and state parks highlighting Florida’s Revolutionary, territorial, and early statehood history will be promoted through the America250FL Road Trip, with maps available statewide. Parks and sites on this list include:
- Mission San Luis, in Tallahassee
- Big Talbot Island State Park and Fort George Island Cultural State Park, in Jacksonville
- Tomoka State Park, in Ormond Beach
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, in Alachua County
- San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, in St. Marks
- Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park, Amelia Island State Park, and FortClinch State Park, in Nassau County
- Constitution Convention Museum State Park, in Port St. Joe
- John Gorrie Museum State Park, in Apalachicola
- Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, in Sanderson
- Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, in Sumter County
- Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, in Cross Creek
- Fort Mose Historic State Park, in St. Augustine
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, in Key West
Many of these parks — along with others — will also host period reenactors and events throughout the year, allowing Floridians to experience what life was like during the period they are designed to memorialize.
Student Art & Essay Contest
To engage Florida’s next generation in this historic moment, the Florida Department of Education also will launch an America 250 Florida Student Art & Essay Contest, which will award 14 Florida Prepaid Scholarships to qualifying students for use at Florida colleges and universities. Additional details, including prompts and deadlines, will be released soon.
Further activities will continue to be announced over the coming months. Floridians can find information on events, exhibits, heritage sites, and participation opportunities at America250FL.com, the state’s official hub for the Semiquincentennial celebration.
“As we celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary, Florida rejects the concerted efforts to malign our nation’s history, distort the principles of the founding, and demonize our founders,…”
Yeah, better not have a holiday without a partisan spin on it. This guy is a mini-divider in chief, too small a person to be president.
It’s called history dumb ass and tells us what we have overcome and achieved. Sugar coating it for the simple minded isn’t your job. It’s to unite us for todays challenges and prepare us for the future. You suck at both.
Triggered again. Take your meds. Don’t forget your mask while celebrating this year.
Olustee history
https://werehistory.org/olustee-and-black-freedom/
To cover the retreat, he threw his reserves into the battle. These reserves consisted of soldiers from the Massachusetts 54th and the 35th United States Colored Troops. One white soldier later noted: “The colored troops went in grandly, and they fought like devils.” The black soldiers held their ground until past dark, enabling their comrades to get safely out of range, before they received orders to move back toward Jacksonville.
The black soldiers at Olustee paid dearly for their heroism. The casualties at the battle were high on both sides: the Federals lost more than 1800 men, nearly one out of every three men, while the Confederacy lost 950, or about one out of every five. But black Union soldiers bore a special burden. The Union troops knew that Confederates furious at the idea of emancipation would give no quarter to black soldiers, and white and black soldiers both tried valiantly to make sure no one was left behind. But they didn’t save everyone. Confederate soldiers shot and clubbed to death as many as fifty wounded black soldiers before the men could be rescued.
The Union would not attempt to control Florida again, although it would maintain a foothold at Jacksonville and launch raids from there for the rest of the war. But while it did not do much to change the course of the war, Florida’s major Civil War battle changed the course of American history by making a searing impression on President Lincoln. Advisers had suggested that he help boost his chances for reelection by backing off on emancipation to court conservative voters. But President Lincoln would have none of it. “There have been men who have proposed to me to return to slavery the black warriors of… Olustee to their masters to conciliate the South,” he told visitors in August 1864. “I should be damned in time & in eternity for so doing.”
Ok history 101, what is your point?
The point is the whitewashing of slavery and America’s treatment of blacks in our past and the governor and president trying to return to that. I’ve been to Olustee, where a few years ago an organization asked the state to let it build a monument to the Union dead – there is one for the confederate that’s been there for over 100 years – and were turned down.
I would point out like I did in other article both you and invitado are talking about the civil war era not the 250 year celebration of the United States of America. This crap about slavery, Union army, black Union troops, Confederate army, and Olustee is not relevant to the Celebration of our great Republic. Slavery in the 1700s was a trait that the Spanish and British brought to this country during the colonial times. So if you want to complain about the slavery trade at that time please start with the Countries that started slavery in the first place. Be mad at their “Kings.”
Yeah, they made us do it. And as if everything was cool after the civil war.
You’re too dumb to fish and too ignorant to care.
Again Jazzman. CELEBRATION OF AMERICA’S 250th Birthday. Not celebration of the civil war. Who were the peopke in the colonies. British, Europeans, and Spanish. Who b rought trade goods to the colonies? British, Europeans, and Spanish? Where did the colonists learn about slavery/indentured black people before crossing the Atlantic? From living in Europe. Who led the European countries at that time? Mostly Kings/Royalty. Later in time where did the black slave owners learn how to keep slaves? Beside their African and Jamaican ancestors they learned from the colonists who ventured across the ocean from Europe. That is not a hard history lesson, even for a Trump Hater like yourself. You and I were never born into slavery or taught to keep slaves. Yes like every country in the world we gave good history and bad history. But that how countries grow and prosper. Get a grip a n d enjoy our country being 250 years old. You could always move to another country and prosper there.
Bear, your ignorant rants are not worth a response, but speak loudly on their own to you’re making it up as you type. Same guy who won’t believe his eyes, but has to be told what happened by Noem, Trump, and Vance when 2 people were murdered by goons they employ, and then is stupid enough to want to argue about it.
Brush your teeth after licking those boots.
The Origin of the Three-Fifths Compromise
In 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention found themselves confronted with the question of slavery and how hundreds of thousands of enslaved Black people in the new republic would affect the Constitution. The humanity and rights of these enslaved Americans were not a priority of the delegates as they debated this issue. Rather, their debates centered on if and how the enslaved persons would be counted when allocating seats in the new House of Representatives.
Why all the denial? It’s our history. We should celebrate the progress and question why it hasn’t come sooner and why we going backwards?
Who is denying anything. This article is about tge country being born 250 years ago in 1776. You are the one that keeps b ringing up the civil war. We gadxa Revolutionary War first to firm this country in a free republic. Like every country in the we have highs and lows in history. We learn to be a better country from t he past and not dwell in it. Celebrate buddy. And one more fun history fact for ya. President Trump is the President of the USA for its 250th birthday and for the next three years.
Government agents killing, murdering, citizen protesters doesn’t put one in a celebratory mood.
Triggered again. Goode-n-Pretti candy for all. Notice how ICE bust 650 illegal trespassers in West Virginia this weekend and Zero Protests. All these trespassers need a big glass of ICE, ICE Baby.
And forget flashbang girl. FAFO for 3 more years under tge Trumpster.
Maybe you or Jazzman can give Mayor Pete a hint about Minnesota having Borders. And someone thought he was qualified to be a Mayor, possible Presidential candidate, and Secretary of Transportion.