The first recorded human presence in Florida dates back at least 14,000 years to the Paleo-Indians who entered the peninsula. By the 16th century, major Native American groups inhabited distinct regions of the state.
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sighted the peninsula on the 2nd of April 1513 and made landfall the following day. He named the region La Florida meaning land of flowers due to the abundant flora and the Easter season known as Pascua Florida.
Spain established St. Augustine under the leadership of admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565 creating the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental United States. The marriage between Luisa de Abrego and Miguel Rodríguez occurred in 1565 marking the first recorded Christian marriage in the continental U.S.
Florida became the 27th state admitted on the 3rd of March 1845 only one day before President John Tyler's term ended. Andrew Jackson served as military commissioner with powers of governor for a brief period on behalf of the U.S. government prior to this admission.
The largest engagements were the Battle of Olustee on the 20th of February 1864 and the Battle of Natural Bridge on the 6th of March 1865 both resulting in Confederate victories. Congressional representation was restored on the 25th of June 1868 following the Civil War.
Britton Hill at above mean sea level is the highest point in Florida and the lowest highpoint of any U.S. state. The population of Florida reached 21,477,737 on the 1st of July 2019 representing a 14.24% increase since the 2010 census.