Gasparilla

Most people all around the world celebrate holidays that show the triumph of their people.  Cities and nations commemorate the day when they obtained freedom, independence, and victory.  A day when the subjugation ceased.  A day when they began to control their own destiny.

Floridians, on the other hand, celebrate a holiday known as Gasparilla.


 Each year Tampa celebrates Gasparilla and reenacts a local legend. A crew of pirates, led by "Jose Gaspar", attack and overpower the local Tampa authorities and march triumphantly through the streets.
 

Also reenacted is the episode that occurred less than one hour later, when the pirates ran back to their ship screaming "Why the hell would anyone WILLINGLY live in Florida???"