1827 – Commodore David Porter of the Mexican navy was at Key West on the frigate Liberty and was blockaded by four Spanish Navy vessels. Porter challenged any single one of the Spanish vessels, but they had not yet taken up his offer.
1917 – The first long-distance telephone connection from Key West was made to Miami at 1:47 p.m. Later in the day the connection was extended to Savannah.
1925 – The recent purchase by developer Malcolm Meacham of over 1,000 acres at the eastern end of Key West had islanders excited for a new era of growth and prosperity, with the real estate business leading the charge.
1970 – U.S. Rep. Dante Fascell was the speaker at the dedication of the new Islamorada Post Office.
1975 – At the urging of U.S. Rep. Dante Fascell, and to protect the Keys lobster fishery, Congressman Paul Rogers introduced legislation to the Marine and Fisheries Committee that would prohibit the sale of undersized or egg-bearing spiny lobsters in U.S. waters.
1999 – A jury convicted gas station attendant and serial burglar Thomas Overton for the 1991 murders of beloved Tavernier couple Missy and Michael Overton and their unborn son. Overton would be sentenced to death for his crimes.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Telephone operators at work in Key West ca. 1920. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.