Accolades of Pensacola – Fun Fact Friday

Pensacola – A Great Place to Live

White sandy beaches, good food, a thriving downtown – these are just some of the features that make Pensacola great. But it’s not only our personal opinion that determines whether these features are great or not. Other companies and organizations have recognized Pensacola in the form of accolades and awards as a wonderful place to live and play. From our beaches to the National Naval Aviation Museum to West Florida Hospital, Pensacola has proven it has a lot to offer.

Check out some of the accolades Pensacola has won just this year:

  • Trip Advisor – Top Ten Beaches in the US, #7 Best Beach in the World
  • Truvin Health Analytics | IBM Watson Health – Top 100 hospital (West Florida)
  • Luxury Travel Guide – The Wildlife Destination of 2017 (Perdido Key)
  • CNN Travel – Top 12 Military Museums to Visit in the World (NNAM)
  • Thrillist – #2 Most Affordable Beach Town

We may not have needed affirmation to convince us Pensacola is a great city with a lot to offer, but it’s always an honor to see Pensacola recognized! I’m personally intrigued by the “#2 Most Affordable Beach Town” award. Beach house, anyone? I know a great Realtor!

What do you love most about Pensacola? Let us know via comment! Happy Friday!

For the complete list of awards, check out the link below:

Source: Award-Winning Pensacola

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

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 quotesMilitary.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