November 16, 2026 - November 20, 2026
FLGeoWeek 2026
Florida, The Forgotten Front
Welcome to this year’s exciting exploration of Florida, the Forgotten Front! Throughout this topic, we’ll journey back in time to analyze why Florida was a highly sought-after region among different countries seeking to expand their influence in North America.
From 1762 to 1845, Florida's strategic location and natural resources became a focal point of international rivalries and cultural encounters.The region’s history reflects the influence of Spanish, British, and American interests, as well as the experiences of the Indigenous peoples and diverse communities who shaped its development during this transformative period.
Today, we invite educators and students to rediscover Florida’s place in the American story. Explore the people, places, and events that influenced Florida's journey towards statehood with exciting lessons and activities throughout the week.
Photo Credit: (State Archives of Florida/Manucy)
PLEASE NOTE: As we know, Florida school districts are navigating a statewide mandate to update references to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” in instructional and library materials, but the law is not retroactive — it applies only to materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. This means that the historic maps and older books we are referencing and using in this year’s historic anniversary edition of Geography Awareness Week are not required to be relabeled. We do encourage all teachers and students to discuss the importance of geographic name changes throughout history and what that means.