Happy birthday, Florida!
Sorry we missed the big day March 3 and that we can’t light 181 candles for you. Burn bans and drought conditions make that unsafe.
Florida became the 27th state to join the United States of America on March 3, 1845.
➤ So you think you know Florida? Have fun with this quiz
Here’s a little bit of state history to enjoy with your orange juice — or coffee — this morning and we celebrate Florida’s 181st birthday.
Florida joined US in 1845
Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845.
By 1850, the population had grown to 87,445, according to the Florida Department of State. That’s less than the estimated 1.3 million alligators living in Florida today, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Compare that to the state’s estimated population of 23.4 million in July 2025.
Nobody in Florida voted for Abraham Lincoln. State joins Confederacy
Florida became a state less than 20 years before the start of the Civil War and the issue of slavery “began to dominate the affairs of the new state,” according to the Florida Department of State.
“In the 1860 presidential election, no Floridians voted for Abraham Lincoln. Shortly after his election, a special convention drew up an ordinance that allowed Florida to secede from the Union on Jan. 10, 1861.
“Within several weeks, Florida joined other southern states to form the Confederate States of America.”
Florida shifts from cotton to lumber after Civil War
“During the Civil War, Florida was not ravaged as several other southern states were. Tallahassee was the only southern capital east of the Mississippi River to avoid capture during the war. After the South was defeated, federal troops occupied Tallahassee on May 10, 1865.
“Before the Civil War, Florida had been well on its way to becoming another of the southern cotton states. Afterward, the lives of many residents changed.
“The ports of Jacksonville and Pensacola again flourished due to the demand for lumber and forest products to rebuild the nation’s cities,” according to the Florida Department of State.
Tourists ‘discover’ Florida
“Beginning in the 1870s, residents from northern states visited Florida as tourists to enjoy the state’s natural beauty and mild climate.
“By the end of World War I, land developers had descended on this virtual gold mine. With more Americans owning automobiles, it became commonplace to vacation in Florida. Many visitors stayed on, and exotic projects sprang up in southern Florida.”
Quiz: How much do you really know about Florida?
➤ So you think you know Florida?
Florida state symbols you may or may know know
Florida by the numbers
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Happy birthday, Florida! You’re looking good for 181
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
