List of Great Floridians facts for kids
A Great Floridian is a special title given to people who have done amazing things for the state of Florida. The Florida Department of State chooses these notable citizens. There have been two main programs to honor these individuals.
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What is a Great Floridian?
Florida honors people who have made big differences in the state's history and culture. These people are recognized for their important contributions.
The First Program: Great Floridians 2000
In 1998, the Florida Department of State and the Florida League of Cities started a program. It was created to celebrate the coming end of the millennium. This program placed special plaques in cities all over Florida. These plaques honored people who had passed away but had made a big impact. A total of 385 people were honored in this program.
The Current Program: Great Floridians Program
In 2007, Florida brought back the "Great Floridians" program. It became an official Florida law. Now, a special group of top government leaders meets every year. They suggest names of citizens who deserve this honor. The Florida Secretary of State then chooses at least two people each year. By 2011, 58 people had been chosen.
In 2013, Governor Rick Scott added 22 more names. These included famous sports figures like former Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula and University of Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier. Also honored were golf champion Bubba Watson Jr. and the inventor of Gatorade, James Robert Cade. Other important people included Dr. Pedro Jose Greer Jr., who helps the homeless, and Betty Sembler, who worked on drug treatment. General Norman Schwarzkopf, who led U.S. forces in Iraq, was also recognized.
Who are some Great Floridians?
Many different kinds of people have been named Great Floridians. They come from sports, science, business, and public service. Here are some of them:
| Full Name | What They Are Known For | Year Honored |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Graham | Florida Governor and U.S. Senator | 2016 |
| Alto Lee Adams, Sr. | Florida Supreme Court Justice | 2013 |
| Derrick Brooks | Amazing Linebacker for the Florida State University Seminoles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2013 |
| Robert Cade | Inventor of Gatorade | 2013 |
| Walt Disney | Co-founder of Disneyworld, which changed Florida forever | 2013 |
| Tony Dungy | Former NFL Player and Coach | 2013 |
| Pedro José Greer, Jr. | Helped found health clinics for those in need | 2013 |
| Wayne Huizenga | Founder of Waste Management, Blockbuster Video and AutoNation; owned sports teams | 2013 |
| Juan Ponce de León | Spanish explorer who founded Florida | 1508 |
| Lilly Pulitzer | Famous clothing designer | 2013 |
| Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. | Four-star general | 2013 |
| Betty Schlesinger Sembler | Fought for better drug treatment | 2013 |
| Don Shula | Miami Dolphins head coach | 2013 |
| Emmitt Smith | University of Florida Gators running back; NFL Hall of Famer | 2013 |
| Steve Spurrier | 1966 Heisman Trophy winner and former head football coach of the University of Florida Gators | 2013 |
| Tim Tebow | Heisman Trophy winner (2007), College & Professional Football player, Motivational speaker | 2013 |
| Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson, Jr. | PGA golfer | 2013 |
| Bobby Bowden | Florida State University Seminoles football head coach (1976–2009) | 2012 |
| Jeb Bush | Florida's 43rd Governor (1999-2007) | 2012 |
| Bernardo de Gálvez | Spanish military leader who helped in the American Revolution | 2012 |
| Thomas Alva Edison | Famous inventor, scientist & businessman | 2011 |
| George W. Jenkins | Founder of Publix Supermarkets | 2011 |
| Sandy D'Alemberte | American Bar Association president & Florida State University president (1994–2003) | 2010 |
| Paula Hawkins | Consumer Advocate and US Senator from Florida (1981-1987) | 2010 |
| Tony Jannus | First commercial airline pilot | 2010 |
| Pedro Menendez de Aviles | Spanish Admiral and explorer | 2009 |
| Bob Martinez | Florida's 40th Governor (1987-1991) | 2009 |
| Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings | Author of The Yearling | 2009 |
| Harry T. Moore | Civil rights activist | 2007 |
| Connie Mack III | US Senator (1989-2001) | 2007 |
| Julia DeForest Sturtevant Tuttle | "Mother of Miami" | 2006 |
| William Pope Duval | Florida's 1st Territorial Governor (1822-1834) | 2005 |
| Spessard Holland | Florida's 28th Governor (1941-1945) | 2004 |
| Henry Morrison Flagler | Industrialist and Developer | 2003 |
| Zora Neale Hurston | Famous writer and folklorist | 2003 |
| Henry Plant | Industrialist and Developer | 2003 |
| James Alward Van Fleet | Combat Commander & Four-Star General | 2002 |
| Mary McLeod Bethune | Educator and Activist | 2002 |
| John Gorrie | Physician, scientist and inventor (created ice machine) | 2002 |
| William Henry Getty (Bill) France | NASCAR Founder and Motor Sports Promoter | 2002 |
| Richard (Dick) Pope | Cypress Gardens Founder & Tourism Promoter | 2002 |
| Lawton M. Chiles | Florida's 41st Governor (1991-1998) & US Senator (1971-1989) | 2001 |
| Reubin O'D. Askew | Florida's 37th Governor (1971-1979) | 1998 |
| William Patrick Foster | Bandleader, Florida A&M "Marching 100" | 1998 |
| Chesterfield Smith | Justice Advocate & Florida's First American Bar Association President | 1997 |
| Cecil Farris Bryant | Florida's 34th Governor (1961-1965) | 1994 |
| George A. Smathers | US Senator (1951-1969) | 1994 |
| Claude Denson Pepper | US Senator (1936-1951) & US Representative (1963-1989) | 1988 |
| Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. | Citrus Baron, Civic Leader & Benefactor | 1987 |
| Marjory Stoneman Douglas | Writer and Environmental Activist | 1987 |
| Alonzo "Jake" Gaither | Head Football Coach, Florida A&M University | 1984 |
| Thomas LeRoy Collins | Florida's 33rd Governor (1955-1961) | 1981 |
Images for kids
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Great Floridian panel for James Cash Penney
