As the United States prepares to celebrate its Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) in 2026, the traditional narrative of 13 plucky colonies in the Northeast is being challenged. Kartik Krishnaiyer, a Coral Springs-based historian, journalist, and host of the Florida History Podcast, is at the forefront of this movement.
His two latest books, now available on Amazon, rewrite the script of American beginnings by placing Florida—not Virginia or Massachusetts—at the heart of the national story.
1. The USA at 250: How Florida Became Part of the United States
Sub-title: A History of Florida From 1775 to 1821
While standard history books often skip from the Boston Tea Party to the Civil War, Krishnaiyer’s newest volume focuses on the chaotic, 46-year transition that turned Florida from a British and Spanish stronghold into an American territory.
Key Themes:
- The 14th and 15th Colonies: During the American Revolution, East and West Florida didn’t join the rebellion—they were the most loyal colonies to King George III. Krishnaiyer explores why Florida became a refuge for Loyalists and a staging ground for British invasions of Georgia and the Carolinas.+1
- The War of 1812’s Forgotten Front: The book details the “Patriot War” and the clandestine American efforts to seize Florida long before it was officially ceded.
- The Andrew Jackson Legacy: It examines the controversial and often “arguably illegal” actions of Andrew Jackson, whose military campaigns essentially forced Spain’s hand in the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty.
Why Read It? If you’ve ever wondered why Florida feels so distinct from the rest of the South, this book provides the geopolitical blueprint of its origin. It covers the period from the American Revolution to the official change of flags in 1821.
2. French Florida: America’s Origin Story
Sub-title: The True Beginning of the American Experiment
Decades before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock or the English settled Jamestown, a group of French Huguenots established Fort Caroline on the banks of the St. Johns River (modern-day Jacksonville) in 1564.
Why Fort Caroline Matters:
- Religious Freedom: These French settlers weren’t just explorers; they were refugees seeking a sanctuary from religious persecution in Europe—the very same motivation later attributed to the Pilgrims.
- The First Thanksgiving? The book argues that the first communal meal between Europeans and Native Americans (the Timucua) happened here, nearly 60 years before the famous 1621 event in Massachusetts.
- A Brutal Conclusion: Krishnaiyer details the 1565 massacre of the French by the Spanish under Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, an event that ensured Florida would remain Catholic and Spanish for the next 200 years.
About the Author: Kartik Krishnaiyer
Kartik Krishnaiyer is a veteran of Florida media and civic life. Beyond his work as a historian, he is well-known in the sports world as the Managing Editor of World Soccer Talk and a former executive in the North American Soccer League (NASL). His deep ties to Florida—from his role in the 2000 presidential recount to his current work at The Florida Squeeze—give him a unique perspective on the state’s complex political and social evolution.+2
Where to Find Them
Both books are available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. They are essential reading for anyone looking to understand the “Real Florida” as the nation reflects on its 250-year journey.
The Florida Squeeze 