National Flag Day in the City of Five Flags!
100 years ago today, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established this day – June 14 – as Flag Day. Congress followed up in 1949 recognizing the day as one that commemorates the adoption of the American Flag. What better way to celebrate this patriotic day than in Pensacola, a city with a rich history, diverse culture, beautiful geography and growing economy. (When can we move there, right?)
Flag Day is an especially unique day around here. Often referred to as “The City of Five Flags,” Pensacola has been ruled, at some point in history, by five different governments, something very few cities in the United States have experienced.
In 1559, Tristan de Luna y Arellano led an expedition that established an ephemeral colony in Pensacola Bay. Thirteen ships, 1,500 soldier and settlers. This was the first colonization attempt in the continental U.S., leading to Pensacola’s other well known name, “America’s First Settlement.”
The French then took the keys to the city in 1719 only to return the kingdom back to Spain in 1722. It wasn’t long after that when the British “stepped” in, holding the city from 1763 until 1781. This is when Spain, France and the fledgling American Colonies took Pensacola by force with some help from Cuba.
Spain gave up Pensacola and the entire state of Florida in 1821 to the United States (finding the Fountain of Youth proved harder than they expected)… Soon after the state seceded with the rest of the South and formed the Confederate forces. We all know how that one ends.
Did you count? That’s five governments, five flags and one city with a long road to becoming a pillar of American society.
Its modern identity reflects this history, yet moves forward to become a thriving city with a variety of career and Pensacola real estate opportunities.
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