Photo Exhibits

Photo exhibits spotlight various topics in Florida history, and are accompanied by brief text intended to place selected materials in historical context.

Florida During the Bush Years
In the National Spotlight: Election 2000

Florida remained in the national spotlight throughout Gov. Bush's second term over issues of homeland security, terrorism, and natural disasters. Soon after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it was revealed that several of the hijacking pilots trained in Florida. Then later that fall, one of the three anthrax attacks occurred at the headquarters of the National Enquirer in Boca Raton, Florida. In 2004 and 2005, Florida suffered through two of its worst hurricane seasons in recent memory, including, briefly, Hurricane Katrina, which passed over South Florida before making landfall near New Orleans.

FEMA contractor demonstrating new system to Governor Jeb Bush and Michael Chertoff, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2006)

FEMA contractor demonstrating new system to Governor Jeb Bush and Michael Chertoff, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2006)

Image Number: PR20693

President George W. Bush created the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security on September 20, 2001 in response to the 9-11 attacks. President Bush appointed Chertoff as Secretary of the new Cabinet Agency on February 15, 2005 to replace Tom Ridge. Because the department also handled natural disasters, Chertoff became a familiar figure in the state during Florida's very active 2005 hurricane season. Image taken August 6, 2006.

U.S. Senator Bob Graham during workday as counterterrorism agent with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (2002)

U.S. Senator Bob Graham during workday as counterterrorism agent with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (2002)

Image Number: PT04853

Former Florida Governor Graham served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 2001 to 2003, and often critiqued President Bush's anti-terrorism efforts.

Governor Bush with DEP secretary Colleen Castille (2006)

Governor Bush with DEP secretary Colleen Castille (2006)

Image Number: PT05051

In 2004, one tropical storm (Bonnie) and four hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne) battered Florida, causing billions of dollars of damage. Florida's Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) led much of Florida's relief and preventive measures. The following year, hurricanes remained a national concern when Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi and Louisiana., while two more hurricanes (Dennis & Wilma) and a tropical storm (Arlene) swept over Florida.

Hurricane Charley battering Florida's coastline (2004)

Hurricane Charley battering Florida's coastline (2004)

Image Number: DM1548

The most destructive storm to hit Florida since 1992's Hurricane Andrew, Charley landed near Port Charlotte on 13 August 2004 as a Category 4 hurricane.

Man and his dog during Hurricane Wilma in Key West (2005)

Man and his dog during Hurricane Wilma in Key West (2005)

Image Number: DM2665

Wilma struck Florida near Cape Romano on 24 October 2005.

Governor Jeb Bush and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen during their visit to Key West High School following Hurricane Wilma (2005)

Governor Jeb Bush and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen during their visit to Key West High School following Hurricane Wilma (2005)

Image Number: DM2676

Photographed on October 25, 2005.

Home destroyed by Hurricane Dennis in Franklin County (2005)

Home destroyed by Hurricane Dennis in Franklin County (2005)

Image Number: PR20079

Dennis made landfall in Navarre Beach as Category 3 storm on July 10, 2005.

Hurricane Katrina relief drive in Key West (2005)

Hurricane Katrina relief drive in Key West (2005)

Image Number: DM2517

For more images of Florida hurricanes, see Historic Hurricane Photos.

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