Week in History: September 1 - 8
Events that occurred during the week of September 1st through the 8th in South Florida's history.
OTD: September 1, 1944 - The Miami Police Department Swore in the First Five Black Officers
On September 1, 1944, the Miami Police Department swore in their first five black police officers. The department was segregated at the time and black officers were responsible for patrolling Overtown, the black section of Coconut Grove, and Liberty City until the force was desegregated in 1963. From left to right, the men were Ralph White, John Milledge, Clyde Lee, Edward Kimble, and Moody Hall.
OTD: September 2, 1995 - Miami Heat Hires Pat Riley
On September 1, 1995, Pat Riley was traded to the Miami Heat from the New York Knicks for a first round pick and was officially hired by the Heat the next day, on September 2. During Riley's introductory press conference, he stated "I imagine in my mind about the symbolic championship parade. Maybe right down Biscayne Boulevard." He delivered on that promise on June 23, 2006, after the Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks at the end of the 2005-06 NBA season.
OTD: September 2, 1935 - Labor Day Hurricane
On Labor Day, September 2, 1935, the strongest hurricane ever recorded, with winds at 200 miles per hour, roared across the Keys and took an estimated 800+ lives, but only 408 were recovered, most of them veterans of WWI working on an oversea highway.
OTD: September 5, 1876 - Pioneer Wedding Along the Miami River
On September 5, 1876, Rose Wagner married Adam Richards at the homestead of the bride's family near the Miami River off of Wagner Creek. The wedding was officiated by Father Hugan of Key West who traveled to the sparsely populated area, which was later incorporated as the City of Miami, for the ceremony.
OTD: September 6, 1928 - Dade County Courthouse was Dedicated
On September 6, 1928, the Dade County Courthouse was dedicated. The 28-story structure cost $4,062,779 to construct, and it was Dade County’s sixth courthouse since its formation in 1835. More than 7,000 people, many of whom stood in the late afternoon sun for nearly an hour, participated in the dedication of the courthouse. During the dedication, the lobby was crowded with people waiting for the elevators to take them to the twenty-fourth floor and observation balcony. Hundreds walked up the stairs and visited the various county and city offices.
OTD: September 8, 1565 - Saint Augustine, Florida Founded
On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles established Florida's first permanent European settlement. He gave it the name St. Augustine after the saints feast day.
Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book
Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the ‘Learn More’ button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.