Florida Memory presents images of joy and fun from our state's historic records in celebration of World Laughter Day. Dr. Madan Kataria first introduced this day in 1998 to broaden understanding and friendship throughout the world. World Laughter Day takes place annually on the first Sunday of May. It has now spread to 60 countries and led to the creation of thousands of laughter clubs. Whether having fun with politics, expressing the pleasure of work and performance, or simply seeing the humor in everyday life—Floridians have found reason to laugh at it all.
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Photo by Richard Parks.
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Photo by William A. Fishbaugh.
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Photo by G.W. Romer.
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Publication information: Jacksonville, Florida, Florida Post Card Co., [1938] Curt Teich
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Accompanying note: 7. plaiting the stuff from which his hat is made or laughing with Mary Jane at a visitor's remark.
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Photo by Joseph Janney Steinmetz.
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Photo by Joseph Janney Steinmetz.
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Photo by Robert E. Fisher.
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Only child of Winifred Sands Johnson.
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Photo by Francis P. Johnson.
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Photo by Joe Rimkus.
Riding with the President is U.S. Senator George Smathers. This photograph was taken four days before President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
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Photographed during the signing of their book, Your Florida Government, 500 Questions and Answers.
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Photo by Richard Parks.
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Photo by Roy Erickson.
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Photo by Richard Parks.
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Photo by Donn Dughi.
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Photo by L.K. Sommers.
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Photo by Mark Foley.
Accompanying note: Florida Democratic Party Chairman Charles Whitehead quips "A Dukakis in the hand is worth more than a Quayle in the Bush." Attorney General Bob Butterworth, left, lines up with Dukakis campaign co-chairs: Senator Carrie Meek, center, Speaker pro-tempore James Burke, and Education Commissioner Betty Castor, far right, on the capitol steps Wednesday.
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Stickball is a very old game among Native Americans. Some of the earliest sketches by European explorers depict the game being played. The game has elements of a team sport, but also involves individual skill and endurance. The stickball game is one of the social highlights of the Green Corn Dance, but may be played for fun at other times during the year as well.
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Photo by Donn Dughi.
Accompanying note: A bill dealing with car window tinting by Rep. Scott Clemons (center) brought a ribbing by fellow legislators. It was Clemons' first bill.
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Photo by Mark Foley.
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Seated (L-R): Leander Shaw, Chief Justice Charles Wells, Major Harding. Standing: R. Fred Lewis, Harry Anstead, Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince.
