March 9, 1986
U.S. Navy divers find the crew compartment of the ill-fated Challenger space shuttle.
Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff two months earlier. The compartment contained the remains of all seven astronauts.
The accident caused the space program to be grounded for years while NASA reviewed their procedures.
March 10, 1783
The last battle of the American Revolution was fought off the coast of Cape Canaveral.
An American ship and a French ship transporting gold were attacked by a British warship.
There's a historical marker commemorating the battle at Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach. A $1,200 marker was erected by the Titusville Kiwanis Club.
March 11, 1997
Universal CityWalk gets its name.
The area was originally called E-Zone, named after a similar entertainment district near Universal Hollywood.
CityWalk was still under construction at the time.
Today, E-Zone California has also changed its name to CityWalk Hollywood.
March 12, 1990
The region gets ready for another El Niño.
The last weather event four years before was relatively mild. However, this one ended up disrupting everything from hurricane season to the fishing industry.
The El Niño of 1982-83 was considered the most severe of the century. It was blamed for 1,500 deaths and billions of dollars in damage nationwide.
March 13, 1992
Famous TV evangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were divorced.
Their divorce was finalized in the Sunshine State after 31 years of marriage.
The Bakker’s led an extravagant lifestyle, but Jim Bakker was in prison for fraud at the time of the breakup. Tammy Faye resided in Orlando.
Their TV empire eventually crumbled under the weight of sex and financial scandals.
Tammy Faye passed away in 2007.
March 14, 1884
Brevard County was created by the Florida Territorial Legislature.
Brevard became the state's 25th county and was named for Theodore Washington Brevard. He was a politician who served as State Comptroller from 1853 to 1861.
The area was originally named St. Lucie County, but the name was changed in 1855.
Another county was named for St. Lucie years later in 1905.
March 15, 1998
Homegrown pop stars become local living legends.
The Backstreet Boys packed the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios with thousands of screaming fans.
It was all for a good cause. The group performed to raise money for local victims of deadly tornados.
All of the proceeds from tickets, food and T-shirts were donated to the needy. The benefit raised more than $240,000.