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February 26
1962 – Astronaut John Glenn left Key West to join President Kennedy at Palm Beach. Glenn had spent a quiet weekend with his family at the Key West Naval Base so he could rest and undergo medical evaluation after his successful orbit around earth. Glenn was the first American to make such a flight.

Florida Keys History Center
Feb 262 min read


September 20
1909 – Monroe County Deputy Sheriff B.W. Glisson arrived at Key West from Knight’s Key on the steamer Mascotte, with prisoners Manuel Moses, Nod Cornell, Elio McKinney, and E.E. Whalton. Glisson had arrested the men for selling whiskey without a license at the railroad work camps.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 19, 20252 min read


August 20
1985 – An early morning fire destroyed the Siboney Inn at the corner of Truman Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Key West, as well as an adjacent residence at 919 Elizabeth. Three firefighters were overcome by smoke while battling the large blaze.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 19, 20252 min read


May 20
1957 – The second mate and an oiler of the Key West-to-Havana ferry SS City of Havana were taken into custody by federal authorities at Key West on charges of smuggling aliens into the United States.

Florida Keys History Center
May 19, 20251 min read


May 7
1980 – As the Mariel boatlift continued to grow, President Jimmy Carter ordered 400 U.S. Marines to Key West to take charge of Cuban refugee management.

Florida Keys History Center
May 6, 20252 min read


February 26
1956 – The M.S. Allen Funeral Home opened in a new concrete-block building at 325 Julia Street in Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
Feb 26, 20251 min read
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