Aug. 19, 1970
Orlando's Council Oak Tree was recognized with a marker from the Orange County Historical Commission.
In its glory, the Council Oak was said to be bigger than any of these trees, and the largest living oak in all of Central and South Florida.
It was called the Council Oak because it was the gathering place of the Seminole warriors.
But in the late 1800s, the giant old oak was struck by lightning. All that's left is the marker on South Ferncreek Avenue just past Stevens Street.
Aug. 20, 1962
Durance Elementary School was the first school in Orange County to desegregate.
Like the early days of integration at most other Orange County schools, at Durance, the process was peaceful and orderly.
There were 18 black students among 700 whites.
Most were the children of the McCoy Air Force Base staff.
Aug. 21, 1967
Valencia Community College opened, using temporary trailers as classrooms.
The community college started with 500 students and 20 professors.
It opened just one year before Florida Technological University, now the University of Central Florida, held its first classes.
Four months later, the college relocated to a 180-acre site on Kirkman Road, called the West Campus.
There's also an 80-acre East Campus and several satellite campuses across Central Florida.
Aug. 22, 1989
Gatorland Zoo in South Orange County sued Gator Jungle in Christmas to block construction of a similar jaw entrance.
Besides a zoo, Gatorland is a working alligator farm and has welcomed visitors though open jaws since 1963.
In the lawsuit, Gatorland executives said they spent a lot of money internationally to make sure that the jaws are associated with their attraction.
Use by anyone else was limited because the symbol was registered as a state trademark in 1982.
Aug. 23, 1992
Hurricane Andrew gained strength as it barreled towards Florida.
The storm, which has just gained hurricane status the day before, quickly grew to a category 4 storm.
It would hit South Florida the next day with winds of 150 miles per hour.
Andrew was blamed for more than 40 deaths and the destruction of 25,000 homes.
Damage estimates topped $25 billion.
Aug. 24, 1973
Members of the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a town picnic at Lake Eola to bid farewell to McCoy Air Force Base personnel.
The last airplane and crew at McCoy moved out a week later.
The base was active for 15 years, named in memory of Col. N.W. McCoy, who was killed in the line of duty in 1957.
Today, Orlando International Airport sits on the McCoy site.
Aug. 25, 1922
The city of Orlando purchased the Orlando Water and Light Company.
The old company was privately held, and had been providing water and electricity to Orlando since 1901.
The main headquarters on North Orange Avenue was later established as the Orlando Utilities Commission.
Today there are several companies that provide water and electricity to Central Florida.
The building that was originally the home of OUC is now the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.
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