Significant Documents

This exhibit provides images of historically significant documents from the collections of the State Archives of Florida. These documents represent some of the formative events in Florida's history and offer an important resource to researchers and students.

First Spanish Period to Early Statehood
Saint Augustine Map, 1589

St. Augustine Map, 1589 from: Baptista Boazio, Saint Augustine Map, 1589 (Collection M81-21).
Land Grant from the Upper Creeks, Lower Creeks and Seminoles to Thomas Brown, 1783

On March 1, 1783, several "Kings and Warriors" representing Upper Creek, Lower Creek and Seminole towns affixed their names and family marks to a document granting Thomas Brown substantial territory west of St. Augustine, Florida.
Territorial Governor William Pope Duval's Message to Legislative Council, 1826

Territorial Governor DuVal's Message to Legislative Council, 1822 from: Territorial Legislative Council Unicameral Period Records, 1822-1838 (Series S 876).
First Act of the Territorial Legislature, 1822

First Act of the Territorial Legislature, 1822 from: Acts of the Territorial Legislature and Acts of the Legislature, 1822-Present (Series S 222).
Act Establishing Florida Statehood, 1845

Act Establishing Florida Statehood, 1845 from: An Act For The Admission of the States of Iowa and Florida Into the Union, 1845 (Collection M81-22).
Petition to Establish the East Florida Seminary in Alachua County, 1852

Petition to Establish the East Florida Seminary in Alachua County, 1852 from: Secretary of State, Territorial and Early Statehood Records, 1821-1878 (Series S 2153).

Civil War Period
Ordinance of Secession, 1861

Ordinance of Secession, 1861 from: Florida Convention of the People, Ordinance of Secession, 1861 (Series S 972).

World War I to the Depression
World War I "National Crisis Day" Proclamation, 1917

World War I "National Crisis Day" Proclamation, 1917 from: Division of Elections, Proclamations and Executive Orders, 1845-1995 (Series S 13, Volume 15).

World War II to the Present
World War II "V-J Day" Proclamation, 1945

V-J Day Proclamation, 1945 from: Division of Elections, Proclamations and Executive Orders, 1845-1995 (Series S 13, Volume 15).
Response from Florida Supreme Court to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Clarence Earl Gideon, 1961

Gideon v. Wainwright from: Florida Supreme Court case files (S. 49, Box 2780, Case 31116).
Judgment from the U.S. Supreme Court Regarding Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963

Gideon v. Wainwright from: Florida Supreme Court case files (S. 49, Box 2780, Case 31116).
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Clarence Earl Gideon, 1961

Gideon v. Wainwright from: Florida Supreme Court case files (S. 49, Box 2780, Case 31116).
Order of the Florida Supreme Court Regarding Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963

Gideon v. Wainwright from: Florida Supreme Court case files (S. 49, Box 2780, Case 31116).
Ratification of the 19th Amendment by the Florida Legislature, 1969

Ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment by the Florida Legislature, 1969 from: Acts of the Territorial Legislature and Acts of the Legislature 1822-Present (Series S 222).

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