1874 – Vice-President Francisco Vicente Aguilera and Secretary Hilario Cisneros of the Cuban Republic-in arms visited Key West to foster support for Cuba’s independence from Spain. They spoke at the San Carlos Institute, and a torchlight procession through the streets was held in their honor.

1961 – A documentary film about Hurricane Donna and its aftermath was presented at the Marathon Theater. The screening was presented by the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, with ticket sales to benefit their advertising campaigns.

1905 – A large group of Key Westers returned on the steamship Olivette after visiting the fair at Tampa. It was estimated that about 1,000 islanders had gone to see the fair in recent days.

1964 – At 3:30 a.m., the Beatles landed at Key West International Airport, greeted by a mob of screaming fans. The group had been scheduled to perform in Jacksonville, but a hurricane diverted them to Key West. The wildly popular musicians spent two days at the Key Wester Motel on South Roosevelt Boulevard.

1930 – The Lighthouse Service determined that small, battery-powered elecric light were a feasible replacement for those lit by gas.

1955 – The Key West Garden Club’s annual Flower Show opened at the East Martello Tower.

1924 – So many tourists were traveling between Key West and Havana that the steamship Governor Cobb had to make an extra trip.