Oct. 1, 1971
Walt Disney World opens
Dec. 15, 1973
Sea World opens
Oct. 1973
East-West Expressway opens
1974
Orlando Sentinel-Star combines Orlando Morning Sentinel and Orlando Evening Star
Dec. 6, 1978
Florida Technical University renamed University of Central Florida
Dec. 7, 1980
Trial of serial killer Ted Bundy begins at the old Orange County Courthouse
March 31, 1982
“Queen of Mean” Leona Helmsley’s only son, Robert Panzirer, dies of a heart attack at her notorious Harley Hotel in downtown Orlando
Oct. 1, 1982
Epcot Center opens
February 1983
Phase I of Orange County Convention Center opens at a cost of $54 million
Jan. 29, 1989
Orlando Arena opens
June 7, 1990
Universal Orlando opens
Oct. 25, 1991
Old Orlando City Hall demolished by implosion, filmed for Lethal Weapon 3
August 1997
Orlando declared “rave capital” by Rolling Stone
September 1997
Orlando anti-rave ordinance passed
1999
The city of Orlando approves the sale of old Navy base for $7.6 million to Chicago’s Pritzker family, paving the way for Baldwin Park four years later
March 28, 1999
Universal’s Islands of Adventure opens
Feb. 17, 2003
Orlando City Council approves sale of Church Street Station to Backstreet Boys founder Lou Pearlman
Aug. 13, 2004
Hurricane Charley decimates Orlando
March 10, 2005
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer indicted on charges of paying for absentee votes; is cleared five weeks later, canceling a special election
July 24, 2006
Orlando passes homeless feeding ordinance, which prohibits feeding homeless people within two miles of City Hall
Sept. 29, 2006
Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty announce $1.1 billion dollar venues deal for Amway Center, performing arts center and Citrus Bowl renovations
April 5, 2007
Developer Cameron Kuhn buys Church Street Station after Pearlman forecloses; Kuhn loses it to foreclosure one year later
June 27, 2007
Pearlman indicted by a federal grand jury on fraud charges
August 2009
Lake Eola fountain struck by lightning
May 24, 2011
Casey Anthony murder trial begins; she is found not guilty on July 5
Feb. 26, 2012
17-year-old Trayvon Martin shot by George Zimmerman, who claims self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law
March 25, 2012
Old Amway Arena demolished to make way for Creative Village