1924 – The Monroe County School Board was prepared to open a school at Flamingo on the mainland, if it could be proved that ten children resided in the settlement. The board was agreeable to renting a building and paying the teacher’s salary.
1933 – The wife, daughters, and grandchildren of recently deposed Cuban President Gerardo Machado arrived at Key West on the yacht Gen. Juan B. Zayas. Local officials offered them safe conduct, and a special train was arranged to take them northward.
1945 – Key West celebrated Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII with throngs parading down Duval Street. The Navy Yard announced the news with 10 long blasts on the siren, and all the ships in the harbor sounded their whistles. To maintain safety, all bar and clubs in the city were ordered closed.
1974 – As part of the U.S. Sister Cities program whereby American communities affiliate with foreign cities of similar size, economic interests, and characteristics, Key West and Gibraltar became sister cities. The new alliance was part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration.
1988 – Pritam Singh held a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on the Truman Annex in Key West.
1999 – After a story about tensions between Keys residents and tourists had been published by the Associated Press a few days earlier, other media outlets, including national television programs and major newspapers, were visiting to follow up on the issue.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Members of the family of General Gerardo Machado y Morales changing trains in Miami after fleeing Cuba via Key West. L to R: Mrs. Elisa Sanches, boarding train, Sheriff Thompson, of Monroe County, who escorted the party from Key West, Mrs. Obregon, with her one year old daughter in arms, and Dr. Ramon Crau with hat. The Scott DeWolfe Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.