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Kennedy Space Center
The history of Cape Canaveral, the site of the Kennedy Space Center, dates back thousands of years to the earliest Native American inhabitants. Spanish explorers arrived in the area in the 16th century. The cape got its name from Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513, who named it “Cabo Cañaveral.” Fast forward to the mid-20th century, the U.S. government selected Cape Canaveral in 1949 as a test site for long-range missiles due to its location near the equator, which allows rockets to take advantage of the Earth’s rotation for extra speed, and its eastern seacoast location ensures that rockets are launched over water for safety reasons. The Space…
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History of Merritt Island
Merritt Island is an area located on Florida’s largest island, which it shares its name with. This island is situated on the eastern Floridian coast and is home to a rich history spanning several centuries. The history of Merritt Island is a reflection of both American progress and Florida’s unique past. Prehistoric Times Like much of the Florida region, Merritt Island was initially inhabited by Native American tribes. Evidence of their settlement dates back several thousand years. The tribes known to have inhabited this region were the Ais, or Ays, a tribe of Native Americans living in central coastal Florida, stretching from the St. Johns river to the Florida Keys.…
