1953 – Daniel T. McCarty, Florida’s 31^st governor was inaugurated on this date. McCarty was born to a wealthy family in Fort Pierce on January 18, 1912. He attended the University of Florida and later joined the U.S. Army during WWII, achieving the rank of colonel. Before being elected governor, McCarty was a citrus grower and cattleman, as well as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. As governor, McCarty raised teacher pay, established state scholarships for Florida’s teachers, and helped establish state funded aid programs for the disabled. Unfortunately though, after less than a year in office, Governor McCarty suffered a sudden heart attack and died on September 28^th. He was buried near his boyhood home in Fort Pierce at the Palms Cemetery.