HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Florida Becomes 27th State Admitted into the United States on This Date in 1845

total population of Florida in 1845 was approximately 66,000

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA—Florida was admitted into the United States as the 27th state on this date in 1845.

After centuries of Spanish rule, 20 years of British control, and almost 25 years as a U.S. territory, Florida was finally voted in as a state.

President John Tyler signed the admission bill. Floridians had voted in a referendum in favor of statehood in 1838 and a state constitution was approved in 1839, but it was not until the U.S. Congress approved the act in 1845 admitting both Florida and Iowa that it became official.

After admission the State Legislative Council began in haste to organize its first state election, which occurred in May of 1845, to elect a governor, a member of the U.S. Congress, 17 state senators and 41 state representatives.

The total population of Florida in 1845 was approximately 66,000.

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