Tallahassee

In 1824, Tallahassee was selected as the capital of the Florida Territory. The site was chosen because it was about midway between the existing population centers of St. Augustine and Pensacola, which made it a logical compromise. The location also had the advantage of being near the Apalachicola River, important for transportation. Tallahassee remains the capital of Florida to this day.

Tallahassee was the only Confederate state capital east of the Mississippi not captured by Union forces during the American Civil War. On May 10, 1865, Union forces occupied Tallahassee peacefully, just days after the formal end of the war. This peaceful occupation allowed Tallahassee to avoid the destruction that befell many Southern cities.

Tallahassee officially gained the status of a city in 1887. This change came as the city experienced growth and development, particularly following the Reconstruction era. The establishment as a city allowed for the development of more structured governance and infrastructure, contributing to its growth as a regional center.

Before becoming Florida State University, it was known as Florida State College for Women, established in 1905 and growing significantly through the years, becoming one of the largest women's colleges in the United States by 1940. Its growth and transformation into a coeducational university are pivotal in Tallahassee's education history.

On April 16, 1947, Florida State University in Tallahassee became fully coeducational, opening its doors to male students after being a women-only institution known as Florida State College for Women. This transition represented a major step in the history of the university, which today is a major public research institution admired nationwide for its academic and athletic programs.

The Tallahassee bus boycott began in 1956, led by community members frustrated with the racially segregated bus system. Inspired by the Montgomery bus boycott, it saw significant reduction in bus ridership as African Americans in Tallahassee opted to walk or use carpool to protest racial biases. The boycott eventually led to desegregation of the city bus systems, a landmark victory in the Civil Rights Movement.

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital first opened its doors in 1966, providing crucial healthcare services to the community. Over the decades, it expanded its programs significantly, becoming a regional healthcare leader. The establishment of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital marked an important step in improving access to healthcare for residents, significantly impacting the well-being of the population.

In 1977, Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee became involved in a major controversy when a proposed bond issue aimed at improving infrastructure was vetoed by the governor. The decision sparked significant protests and highlighted issues of racial inequality and the neglect of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the state. The protests drew attention nationwide to the challenges faced by FAMU and other HBCUs.

The 2000 U.S. Presidential Election saw Florida as a key battleground, with recounts taking place in several counties. In Tallahassee, the state capital, the controversy was especially intense as legal battles unfolded to determine the winner. The chaos and intense focus on Florida culminated in a Supreme Court decision, Bush v. Gore, which effectively awarded Florida's electoral votes to George W. Bush, deciding the presidency.

Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on October 10, 2018, impacting Tallahassee with strong winds and heavy rain. It was one of the strongest storms to ever hit the region, causing widespread damage and power outages. The hurricane highlighted the vulnerabilities of the region's infrastructure and prompted significant recovery and rebuilding efforts that have continued for years since its landfall.