OTD: August 1, 1945 - Virginia Key Beach Dedicated
On August 1, 1945, Virginia Key Beach was officially dedicated and opened as a segregated beach for Black residents, following wade-in protests led by local civil rights activists. At the time, Black Miamians were barred from accessing public beaches in South Florida. Ferries transported bathers to and from the island.
With the progress of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, public beaches across the region were desegregated, granting the Black community access to all coastal areas. Virginia Key Beach was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 27, 2002, and is now managed by the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust to preserve its legacy.
OTD: August 3, 1956 - Elvis Performs at the Olympia Theater
On August 3, 1956, Elvis Presley conducted seven concerts at the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami over the course of two days beginning on Friday, August 3rd, through Saturday, August 4th, 1956.
OTD: August 3, 1977 - City of Miami Buys Dr. James Jackson’s Surgical Office
On August 3, 1977, the city of Miami purchased Dr. James Jackson's surgerical office, which was built in 1905 and moved to the Brickell neighborhood in 1916. Dade Heritage Trust helped get the building historically designated and has leased and occupied the structure as their office since 1977.
In July 2026, the Miami City Commission agreed to sell the property and building to businessman Ken Griffin for roughly $3 million. Griffin reached an agreement with Dade Heritage Trust to move the building to Coconut Grove and assign ownership of the property to the preservation organization.
OTD: August 4, 1937 - Roddey Burdine Stadium Named
On August 4, 1937, the stadium that would later be called the Orange Bowl was named Roddey Burdine Stadium in honor of Miami's Merchant Prince and president of Burdines Department Store. Roddey died suddenly at the age of 49 on February 15, 1936.
OTD: August 5, 1968 - Republican National Convention Began on Miami Beach
On August 5, 1968, the Republican National Convention began at the Convention Center on Miami Beach.
OTD: August 7, 1972 - Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick Appear Cover of Sports Illustrated
On August 7, 1972, Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the highly anticipated upcoming football season approached. Csonka and Kiick’s Miami Dolphins finished that season with a perfect record marking the only time an NFL team has achieved that milestone in the modern era of the sport.
Click on the “Listen Now” button to hear the story of the 1972 Perfect Season as narrated by Dr. Paul S. George and myself.
Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book
Great story, thank you for sharing.
Another memorable week in history! BTW, Don Wright took photographs of the Miami Daily News coverage of Elvis at the Olympia. Later, Wright would become the paper's second legendary political cartoonist (following the first, Anne Mergen).