Tag: History

History Meets Industry – Fun Fact Friday

History Meets Industry – New Hotel in an Old TOwn

Just before Christmas, history met industry when a new Holiday Inn Express opened in downtown Pensacola. The hotel was constructed on the same location formerly occupied by a brick warehouse. The warehouse, established in 1905, was destroyed a hundred years later by Hurricane Ivan. Now, after 12 years of being unoccupied, the site is home to the first new hotel in downtown in almost 30 years.

In addition to the building’s industrial facade that blends well with the rest of its surroundings, the location is convenient walking distance to shops and restaurants. The hotel makes a perfect addition to the downtown area that is in need of more housing facilities to supplement its thriving businesses. If you have visitors coming in to town, give them a heads up that the price of downtown convenience starts at $106 per night.

What do you think about this addition to the downtown industry? I think it will prove to be an asset. A new hotel will equal more downtown visitors/tourists which in turn equals a benefit to the downtown economy. These visitors will do their shopping, eating, and exploring in the area close to where they’re staying. What’s your opinion? Leave us a comment! Happy Friday!

Source: The Pulse

Pearl Harbor Day – Fun Fact Friday

Sunday, December 7, 1941

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked…” These were the portentous opening words of President Roosevelt’s speech to Congress following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Seventy-six years later, and on the anniversary of President Roosevelt’s speech, we remember the turning point of America’s position in World War II.

Early that Sunday morning, when many Americans were still waking up, the first Japanese bomber was spotted. Before long, over 300 Japanese bombers were flying over Pearl Harbor raining destruction. The Japanese loss was minute compared to American losses. “Some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men” were lost by the Japanese. The American loss amounted to “five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships[,] sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft.” By the end of the attack, over 3,600 Americans were either killed or wounded.

Such a move by the Japanese was enough to bring the United States into the war. Thus, President Roosevelt gave his famous speech asking Congress to agree to a declaration of war against Japan. They agreed by a landslide. Within a few days, Germany and Italy retaliated by declaring war on the United States, and America became fully engaged in World War II.

Although most of us alive today don’t know what it was like to wake up 76 years ago and discover the U.S. had been attacked, we can still remember those who defended our country on that day and every day since. Let us never forget those who have gone before to defend this nation and help shape it into what it is today. Never forget where we’ve come from, and we will see where we’re going.

Source: History.com

Pensacola Lighthouse – Fun Fact Friday

A Pensacola Landmark

Pensacola’s historic lighthouse has been in existence since 1859. Well, actually, there was another lighthouse that was first lit in 1824. So then why does the sign say it was established in 1859 if there has been a lighthouse in Pensacola since 1824? That’s because there were two lighthouses built. The one that we see and can tour today is the latter one. Take a look at the timeline to see the changes:

  • 1823 – The idea of building a lighthouse was brought forward for consideration.
  • 1824 – Construction was completed and the first keeper, Jeremiah Ingraham, was stationed.
  • 1850 – Grievances arose stating that the lighthouse was not adequately lit.
  • 1856 – A different location was chosen for a new lighthouse and construction began.
  • 1858 – Construction of the improved 159-foot lighthouse was completed.
  • 1859 –  On New Years day, the light was lit in the new lighthouse.

Today, tourists and locals can still visit the historic 1859 lighthouse, walk up its 177 steps, and look out over the Gulf of Mexico. If you haven’t seen the lighthouse yet or are planning to visit, this Saturday would be the perfect time to go! Saturday, December 2nd is the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum’s Christmas Gala. From 2 – 5 P.M., enjoy free admission, refreshments, Christmas decorations, and more! Santa will even be there for the kids!

Have you been to the lighthouse yet? Did you climb all 177 steps? If you go this Saturday, let us know how it was! We’ll be getting our Christmas tree, otherwise; we’d go too.

Source: PensacolaLighthouse.org

Thanksgiving – Fun Fact Friday

Thanksgiving – An American Tradition

Turkey, pumpkin pie, football – for many Americans that just about sums up Thanksgiving. It is the one day each November we set aside to gather with loved ones, reflect on all the blessings in our lives, and eat one slice too many of our favorite pie. But the original Thanksgiving was much different. We all know that it began with the Pilgrims after they sailed on the Mayflower from England to the New World, yet how did it become what it is today?

Since many of those that sailed on the Mayflower, the Pilgrims, had strong religious beliefs, a day to give thanks was typically a solemn event. Such a day would be set aside for fasting, prayer, and reflection on the goodness of God. Pilgrims, Puritans, and Native Americans alike each had their own versions of Thanksgiving before it ever became a national holiday.

As far as how we celebrate Thanksgiving today, below is a progressive timeline of the holiday:

  • 1621 – What we consider the first Thanksgiving was held as three days of feasting between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags.
  • 1777 – The first national Thanksgiving was declared by the Continental Congress.
  • 1827 – While each Thanksgiving day was traditionally declared by a President, Sarah Josepha Hale (editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book) lobbied to have it made a national holiday.
  • 1863 – Hale’s efforts proved successful when President Lincoln initiated two days of thanks – one in August and another in November.
  • 1939 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt finally established Thanksgiving as an annual, nationally-recognized holiday. He scheduled the date for the second-to-last Thursday in November.
  • 1941 – Congress pushed the Thanksgiving date to the fourth Thursday in November.

Keeping Up with Tradition

Thanksgiving has come a long way over the centuries. Some years it was celebrated, and some years it was not. Although much of Thanksgiving has changed from the date to the customs, the heart of the holiday has remained the same: reflection and gratitude. This year, don’t stress so much over whether or not you’ll get that Black Friday deal, or if you burned the sweet potato casserole. Be sure to let the people in your life know how much they mean to you and reflect on all the ways God has blessed you. We have so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Check out this link for an additional 15 Thanksgiving fun facts! Number 9 explains a lot about holiday traffic…*ick*

Sources: Plimouth.org , HuffingtonPost.com

Veteran’s Day – Fun Fact Friday

Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – what does that mean?  In 1918, it marked the time and date an armistice was signed to end World War I. “A war to end all wars,” as President Woodrow Wilson called this Great War. Today, the 11th day of the 11th month designates the day we honor veterans.

Veteran’s Day (not to be confused with Memorial Day in May) is the day we observe each November to honor those who have served in the U.S. military. Although this important day in our history was first recognized and is currently recognized on November 11th, it wasn’t always upheld on that date. Below is a list of the important dates involving Veteran’s Day:

  • November 11, 1918: The signing of the armistice that ended World War I.
  • 1938: November 11th legally became Armistice Day.
  • June 1, 1954: Armistice Day changed to Veteran’s Day.
  • 1968: Veteran’s Day moved from November 11th to the fourth Monday in October.
  • September 20, 1975: Veteran’s Day moved back to November 11th.

Because the United States has come through more wars since World War I, November 11th has grown to include all veterans. What started as a celebration of the end of the first World War has become a celebration of all the men and women who have served our country. We must never take for granted the sacrifices others have made for the sake of our safety and freedom. To all veterans, today and everyday, thank you.

Click this link for a list of businesses offering free meals and other deals for veterans this weekend. Thank you again for your service!

Sources: Woodrow Wilson quotes , Military.com , FoxNews.com

Halloween History – Fun Fact Friday

A Look at the Origins of Halloween

Trick or treat! No tricks here, just treats of information. Welcome back to Fun Fact Friday! Since Halloween was earlier this week, let us recall the source of this night of spooky specters and candy consumption.

All Hallows Eve began as a Celtic celebration of the end of summer known as Samhain (sow-in). The Celts started this tradition thousands of years ago as a time to remember the dead. They believed that on the night of October 31st those deceased returned to the land of the living. The celebration usually consisted of bonfires, dressing up in animal hides, and predicting one another’s futures. Apart from dressing up in “costumes”, most of the original traditions from this Celtic holiday have evolved or vanished over the centuries.

When immigrants first arrived in America during the 1600s, Halloween went largely unrecognized due to the large Protestant population and their strict convictions. It wasn’t until the 1800s when the potato famine drove many Irish (Celtic) immigrants to the U.S. that Halloween became more nationally observed. As the holiday became more popular, much of its religious and superstitious roots were done away with in an attempt to make Halloween more community and family-friendly.

The early Celtic traditions of dressing in animal hides to ward off evil spirits and leaving food out for visiting ghosts became what we now call trick-or-treating. In the mid-20th century, trick-or-treating revived as a social activity among the community. Children began dressing in costumes and visiting the neighbors for candy and goodies. Now, Halloween is America’s “second largest commercial holiday after Christmas.” I guess people really like candy or something.

Well, there you have it: a brief overview of Halloween and its origins. Did you already know the history? Was there something I left out? Comment below!

Source: History.com

Welcome to Fun Fact Friday!

Pensacola – The City of Five Flags

Welcome to Fun Fact Friday! I wanted to start something enjoyable and interesting, hence; Fun Fact Friday. Plus, you can’t beat the alliteration, am I right? The purpose of Fun Fact Friday is to give you something to look forward to at the end of the work week – Yay, the weekend! – and to interest you with tidbits of trivial information that you may not have otherwise known. Who knows? Maybe the next time you play Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy the things you’ve read from Fun Fact Friday will prove helpful!

The intent is that the topics covered each Friday will be a range of local (Pensacola) history, national/global history, current events, and whatever I come across that I think others might find interesting. So for the first Fun Fact Friday, because the Mahoney Team is located in Pensacola, I wanted to take a look into Pensacola’s own history.

Pensacola has an extensive history going back over 450 years. During the course of this history, Pensacola has come under leaderships from various governments. It is because of these transitions of power that Pensacola has come to be known as the City of Five Flags. This nickname depicts the banners of those governments that have flown over Pensacola – Spain, France, Britain, the Confederacy, and the United States. Their respective rules are as follows:

  • Spain: 1559 (founding), 1698-1719, 1723-1763, 1781-1821
  • France: 1719-1722
  • Britain: 1763-1781
  • The Confederacy (Civil War): 1861-1862
  • United States: 1821-1861, 1865-present

Pensacola’s unique culture exists largely because of these main five governmental controls. This City of Five Flags radiates character and charm from its Spanish architecture to its Civil War-era forts. Is your city a melting pot like Pensacola? Tell us what you love most about where you’re from!

Source: Pensapedia: City of Five Flags

Did You Know? – 5 Facts About Pensacola’s Past

Things you may not have known

In addition to these five facts about Pensacola’s history, did you know that Pensacola is older than St. Augustine, the United States’s first, continuously occupied European settlement? Pensacola was founded in 1559, whereas; St. Augustine was founded in 1565. Pensacola is the original first European settlement in the U.S. by a whole 6 years (although not continuously occupied during that time)! Check out these other cool facts about Pensacola!

5 Historical Facts You Didn’t Know About Pensacola

Original article here: The Pulse – 5 Historical Facts You Didn’t Know About Pensacola