Week in History: January 1 - 4
Events that occurred during the week of January 1st through the 4th in South Florida's history.
Happy New Year!!!
OTD: January 1, 1897 - The Metropolis Publishes First Story on Miami’s Black Community
On January 1, 1897, the Miami Metropolis published it's first story on the black community, when the newspaper began a column called "Among the Colored People". The first article was authored by Rev. J.M. Trammel, visiting minister for the Mount Zion Baptist Church.
OTD: January 1, 1921 - Carl Fisher’s Flamingo Hotel Opens
On January 1, 1921, Carl Fisher's 11 story Flamingo hotel, with 200 rooms, officially opened on Miami Beach as the city's first luxury resort hotel.
OTD: January 1, 1921 - The Aquarium on Miami Beach Opens
On January 1, 1921, James Allison opened the Aquarium on Miami Beach. It was one of Miami Beach's earliest tourist attractions and research centers on marine life in South Florida.
OTD: January 2, 1830 - Miami Pioneer Henry Flagler was Born
On January 2, 1830, Henry Morrison Flagler was born in Hopewell, New York. He is considered the "Father of Miami" and was responsible for financing a lot of the development of the east coast of Florida in the latter part of the nineteenth century.
OTD: January 2, 1979 - Bob Graham Inaugurated as Florida’s 38th Governor
On January 2, 1979, Miami High graduate and member of a South Florida pioneer family, Bob Graham was inaugurated as Florida's thirty-eighth governor. Governor Graham was well-known for his workdays program to better understand the day to day challenges of the working class, a program he continued to practice as a U.S. Senator. Graham retired from public office in early 2005.
OTD: January 3, 1990 - Panamanian Dictator Manuel Noriega was Arrested
On January 3, 1990, Panamanian dictator, Manuel Noriega, surrendered to US Forces and was arrested by the DEA. He served his jail time in the Federal Detention Center in Miami.
OTD: January 4, 1917 - Hotel Urmey Opens
On January 4, 1917, Hotel Urmey officially opened at the corner of SE First Street and SE Second Avenue in downtown Miami.
OTD: January 4, 1930 - Dolphin Coach Don Shula was Born
On January 4, 1930, Legendary Coach Don Shula was born in Grand River, Ohio. Don Shula is the winningest NFL coach of all time with 347 career wins. Shula led the Miami Dolphins to the only perfect season in 1972.
OTD: January 4, 1989 - Central Baptist Church Added to U.S. Register of Historic Places
On January 4, 1989, the historic Central Baptist Church, located at 500 NE 1st Avenue in downtown Miami, was added to the US Register of Historic Places. The church was built in 1925.
OTD: January 4, 1925 - Miami Daily Metropolis Renamed to Miami Daily News
On January 4, 1925 the Miami Daily News-Metropolis newspaper became the Miami Daily News, and published its first Sunday edition.
OTD: January 4, 1925 - Miami Beach Congregational Church Conducts First Service
On January 4, 1920, the first service of the Miami Beach Congregational Church was conducted at the Eunice Martin School on Lincoln Road, with 38 people attending.
A big week in local history! Happy New Year!