January 9, 1968: “Super Steve” Spurrier, Heisman winner for UF the year before, returns to campus to finish his physical education degree after playing a pro-season with the San Fransisco 49ers.
January 9, 1976: Ronald Reagan makes a short stop in Gainesville as part of his brief presidential primary campaign against incumbent Republican Gerald Ford. About 300 people gather to show their support with signs like “White House via Florida” and “Root for Ron.” Reagan then traveled to Ocala to make a speech.
January 12, 1991: Between 1,200 and 2,000 people gather on UF’s Plaza of the Americas and march down West University Avenue in protest of then-President George H.W. Bush’s decision to send troops to the Persian Gulf.
“If it was fighting for America, I would join,” said Joyce Stringer in the Alligator archives. “But my daughter is over there fighting for the oil companies and the military industrial complex, and I can’t support that as a reason to die.”
January 8, 2003: In the wake of local-favorite Purple Porpoise’s 23-year run, the newly renovated Gator City Saloon opens it’s doors for business. By 9:30 p.m., the new club draws a crowd of about 30 with their “Coyote Ugly” style atmosphere as girls dance on top of the bar with the help of some newly installed poles.
