A bit of Florida history:

1763- In its war with Spain the British capture Havana and demand Florida in exchange for Havana.

1783- (Treaty of Paris) Ending the Revolutonary War:British return Florida to Spain to prevent the United States from claiming it.

1821- Spain ceded Florida to the United States for five million dollars

1845- Florida became a state.

1860- Florida joined the Confederacy

1982- Key west removes its self from the united states and becomes the "CONCH REPUBLIC". See more at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conch_Republic