“Florida and Cuba: Five Centuries of Shared History"

Dr. Sherry Johnson, Professor of History, Florida International University

Florida International University has explored the shared history between Florida and Cuba for more than 25 years.  From the time of Don Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival at a land he named “la Florida” to the military roles played in the New World by Cuba and Florida, to the Gilded Age and 20^th century tourism roles the nations share, this rich history has transcended social challenges of recent decades.