Why is it called Miami-Dade?

Miami-Dade is named after Major Francis L. Dade, honored for his heroism in the Dade Massacre. Initially larger, the county was renamed in 1997 to highlight Miami.

Miami-DadePhoto © CiberCuba

The content creator Liesner (@tour_with_liesner) recently sparked the curiosity of thousands of users by explaining in a video the origin of the name of Miami-Dade County, one of the most populated and well-known in the United States.

The county was created on February 4, 1836, under the name Dade County, in honor of Major Francis L. Dade (1792-1835), an American military officer who died in an ambush during the event known as the Dade Massacre, which occurred on December 28, 1835, during the Second Seminole War.

Dade, born in Virginia, served in the War of 1812 and was promoted to brevet major in 1828. His death was deemed heroic, and shortly thereafter, the authorities of Florida decided to name the new county after him as a tribute.

In its beginnings, the territory of Dade was much more extensive than it is today, encompassing what are now Broward and Palm Beach. Over the years, the county reduced its size until it reached its current boundaries.

On November 13, 1997, the name Miami was added to recognize the importance of the most iconic city in South Florida, officially becoming Miami-Dade County.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.