#OnThisDate in 1956: Members of the 17th Tactical Missile Squadron posed at Orlando AFB. The print’s back holds 18 signatures. The 17th replaced the 11th TMS—original Matador missile trainers—at OAFB in 1955. The base began as Orlando Army Air Base in 1940. #OTD #DiscoverYourHome

#OnThisDate in 2021, a judge exonerated the Groveland Four—4 young Black men falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1949—finally correcting a grave Jim Crow–era injustice. All had been posthumously pardoned in 2019, but this ruling confirmed they never committed the crime.

Osceola County was once a spring-training hub, hosting the Houston Astros from 1985–2016. Legends like Nolan Ryan, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell & Jose Altuve trained at Osceola County Stadium. Built in ’85, it later hosted FSL teams & now serves as Orlando City SC’s training site.

The movie’s director John G. Avildsen also helmed the blockbuster movies “The Karate Kid” and “Rocky” (for which he received an Academy Award), but his magic touch didn’t work on “A Night in Heaven” which was panned by critics and is best appreciated today as camp. #BrevardCounty

#OTD in 1983, “A Night in Heaven” was released. Starring Christopher Atkins as a college student who moonlights as a stripper, and Lesley Ann Warren as his unhappily married professor, the movie was filmed in Titusville where its rather predictable plot takes place.

97 years ago today, a character was born that captured our hearts. Happy birthday, Mickey Mouse. ❤️

The swing that started it all.🏌️ On this day in 1954, Arnold Palmer took the leap and turned professional. His journey from that moment would redefine the sport, amassing 92 professional wins, including seven major championships. #ArnoldPalmer | #APInv

On this day in 1959, Joseph Kittinger made his first high altitude parachute jump from an Excelsior balloon at an altitude of 76,400 feet. The stunt almost ended a disaster as a stabilizing parachute wrapped around his neck but fortunately, the emergency chute saved his life.

Walt Disney announced what would become Walt Disney World Resort 60 years ago. The rest is history.

On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy, who set the US on its path to the Moon, made his last visit to NASA’s launch facility at Cape Canaveral, which was renamed Kennedy Space Center in his honor following his death.

Legendary Cocoa Beach surfboard shaper Pat O' Hare passed away #OnThisDate in 2017. World Champion surfer Kelly Slater, said, “Pat has always been a local legend…shaper, surfer, all around nice guy.” Learn more:  https://t.co/ZgLIJwCzjg #BrevardCountyFL #SurfingHistory #OTD

Marty Sklar and John Hench review a model for EPCOT Center and are accompanied by numerous pieces of concept art for the future park.

On Nov. 15, 1965, at the Cherry Plaza Hotel on Lake Eola in Orlando, Walt and Roy Disney, along with Gov. Hayden Burns, announced plans for the newly-revealed Disney World project. The formal press conference was Walt’s only public appearance in Orlando. He died a year later.

November is Native American Heritage Month. Check out part 1 of The Lost Tribes of Florida from the New Smyrna Museum of History. Jim Sawgrass, a Muscogee Creek educator, explores the fate of early Southeastern cultures. Watch here: https://t.co/ZXhg3uHCxu #DiscoverYourHome

#OTD in 1833, David W. Mizell–one of Central Florida’s earliest lawmen–was born near today’s Lake City. Appointed Orange County sheriff in 1868, he was killed in an ambush in 1870, sparking the Barber-Mizell feud. He is the only Orange Co. sheriff to die in the line of duty.

**Attention Orange County Residents** If you receive a call, text message (or a document via text) claiming to be from the Orange County Sheriff's Office and stating that you have a warrant that requires payment to resolve, this is a SCAM. The Orange County Sheriff's Office

This #VeteransDay we share "Words from Rollins Veterans, 1945," essays from ex-servicemen published in @TheSandspur throughout November of that year: https://t.co/Tg8BNWQf6g Photo: Pres. Hamilton Holt at the #RollinsCollege Roll of Honor, dedicated #onthisday 1943

On Nov. 7, the Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council unveiled the new Veteran of the Year plaque at our military exhibition. The plaque will be permanently installed at the History Center. 🇺🇸 #VeteransDay #OrlandoHistory

Nature showing off 🍂 📸: Stephen Marva

On this day in 1915, Orlando hosted the Florida convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Delegates met at First Methodist, then rolled out in a 50-car motorcade to Winter Park. The WCTU fought not just for temperance, but for women’s rights and civic leadership. #OTD