Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a statue of President Andrew Jackson as part of America’s ongoing 250th birthday celebration while speaking at a press conference in Marianna in Jackson County on the Florida Panhandle this week.
“I think this is a very impressive statue. This county that bears President Jackson’s name, that General Jackson when he was here in Florida,” DeSantis said. “This will be something that school kids will be able to come. We got the little placard that goes through talks about Andrew Jackson’s life and legacy and then talks about his relationship to the free state of Florida.”
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. He was also first unofficial leader of the then Florida territory in 1821.
In addition, Jackson served as a major general during the War of 1812 against the British, including at the victorious Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.
In 1821, Spain transferred Florida to the United States after ratification of the Adams–Onís Treaty. Jackson accepted the transfer of the state in Pensacola.
“They lowered the Spanish flag, raised the American flag, did a cannon salute, and played the Star-Spangled Banner in Pensacola. So that’s a foundational moment in Florida history, and he came again to organize the first territorial government,” DeSantis said.
Jackson also served as a U.S. Senator for Tennessee from 1823 to 1825, on the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1798 to 1804, and as a member of U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee from 1796 to 1797.
“I’m very proud of the folks that were behind getting this done. I knew it would be nice. I did not think it would be this grandiose, but now for forever, when people come to Marianna, they’re going to be able to see this amazing statue here commemorating a really pivotal, pivotal person in the history of Florida,” DeSantis said.
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd joined Gov. DeSantis for the statue’s unveiling.
“Florida leads on so many things, but I can say you know in teaching our history, especially to our young people, I see some kids in the audience, and that’s really what this this year’s celebration has been about,” Byrd said. “We the adults have had the privilege of living in the greatest, freest country on earth that’s ever existed, and really this year is about imparting those principles that the governor discussed to the children.”
Gov. DeSantis has also dedicated other statutes as part of America 250, including President James Monroe, U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, and civil rights leader Fredrick Douglass throughout the year.
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