1911 – The French line steamer Louisiane, which had gone ashore at Sombrero Key in the hurricane of October 2010, was refloated and brought to Key West. After months of effort to free the liner, dynamite was ultimately used to blast a section of reef the vessel was sitting on, allowing Louisiane to slide into the water.
1940 – A ceremony honoring Cuban patriot José Martí on his birthday was held in Bayview Park by children from the San Carlos School. Cold weather kept the remembrance to a “skeleton program.”
1979 – Acclaimed writer and Key West resident Tennessee Williams and his friend, Dotson Rader, were assaulted on Duval Street. Both men were punched but neither needed medical attention. Williams said of the attackers, “"Maybe they weren't punks at all, but instead New York drama critics.”
1985 – Radio Martí began broadcasting from a transmitting tower at Marathon. The 14 hours of daily programming aimed at Castro’s Cuba originated in Washington, DC.
1985 – Mayor Richard Heyman and Jimmy Buffett cut the ribbon on Buffett’s new store at Land’s End Village.
1998 – Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson was at Shrimp Boat Sound Studios in Key West to record vocals for “South American,” a song co-written with Jimmy Buffett.
2000 – Jenny the Fire Dog, mascot of the Key West Fire Department, died at the age of 15. A “last alarm” service was held for her, with sirens on all the trucks and alarms at all the stations sounded in her honor.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The steamship Louisiane run aground by Sombrero Key Lighthouse on October 17, 1910. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.