As the United States gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) in 2026, Coral Springs-based historian and author, Kartik Krishnaiyer, is releasing a meticulously researched book that shifts the narrative away from the traditional 13 colonies to reveal Florida’s critical, often-overlooked position during America’s formative years.

“The USA at 250: How Florida Became Part of the United States 1775 to 1821” is set for release on January 1, 2026.

The book details the dramatic era of conflict and negotiation—from the American Revolution through the transfer of sovereignty from Spain—that ultimately defined the modern map of the U.S. South. It provides a crucial, missing chapter for anyone celebrating the nation’s founding.

“The standard history curriculum often overlooks the complexity of the southern borderlands and the contested borderland between Georgia and Florida from 1775 onward until Florida became part of the US,” says Kartik Krishnaiyer . “Florida was not a passive territory waiting to be acquired; it was a contested zone involving Spanish, British, American, and Native American powers. The events here shaped U.S. foreign policy and expansion for decades.”

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Key Highlights of the Book:

• A Contested History: Explores the little-known details of British East and West Florida’s loyalist role during the American Revolution and the return of Spanish rule.
• The Jacksonian Era: Provides deep context into Andrew Jackson’s aggressive military actions and diplomatic negotiations that led directly to the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty.
• Essential Context for the Semiquincentennial: Offers Florida historical societies, educators, and enthusiasts a definitive resource for understanding the state’s involvement in the events leading up to the nation’s 250th birthday.

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About the Author

Kartik Krishnaiyer has written or co-written five previous books about Florida History as well as two books about soccer and a book about the relationship between the United States and Canada. He is currently working on two other books for release in the near future- one on Eastern Airlines and another the French settlement of Florida (the current Jacksonville area/Fort Caroline)

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Launch and Availability

“The USA at 250: How Florida Became Part of the United States 1775 to 1821” will be available starting January 1, 2026, in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats through Amazon – you can pre-order the ebook here.

Kartik Krishnaiyer is available for interviews, public speaking engagements, and book signings across Florida.

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