Florida Declares 'Hulk Hogan Day' in Honor of Late Wrestler

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Eugene Bollea on August 11, 1953, is an American professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s as one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling. Hogan is best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), where his charismatic persona, distinctive look with a bandana and handlebar mustache, and catchphrases like "Hulkamania" propelled him to superstardom. He played a central role in popularizing wrestling as mainstream entertainment during the 1980s wrestling boom. Hogan’s wrestling career highlights include winning multiple WWF World Heavyweight Championships and headlining several WrestleMania events. He was instrumental in the success of WWF’s national expansion, becoming the face of the company and the sport for many years. In the mid-1990s, Hogan joined the rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he was a key figure in the New World Order (nWo) storyline, further cementing his legacy in wrestling history. Outside the ring, Hogan has appeared in various films and television shows, including the reality TV series "Hogan Knows Best," which aired in the mid-2000s and focused on his family life. He has also been involved in multiple business ventures and endorsements. In recent years, Hogan’s public image has been mixed due to legal battles and controversies, but he remains a recognized and influential figure in wrestling history. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice: once as an individual in 2005 and again as part of the nWo in 2020. Hogan continues to make sporadic appearances in wrestling-related events and media, maintaining relevance among wrestling fans worldwide.

Ron DeSantis is a prominent conservative Republican politician who has served as the 46th Governor of Florida since January 8, 2019. Born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida, DeSantis grew up in Dunedin with blue-collar roots. He attended Yale University, where he graduated with honors and captained the varsity baseball team. He later earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, earning a commission in the U.S. Navy as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer during his time there[1][2][3]. DeSantis's military career included deployments to Iraq, where he supported SEAL missions in Fallujah and Ramadi, earning the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service[1][2]. After his military service, he worked as a federal prosecutor, focusing on child predator cases. DeSantis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, representing Florida's Sixth District until 2018. He gained recognition for his fiscal conservatism and alignment with the Tea Party movement[2][3]. As Governor of Florida, DeSantis has been at the forefront of several contentious issues, including COVID-19 policies, education reform, and voter fraud concerns. Notably, he lifted pandemic restrictions early, while implementing measures to protect vulnerable populations[3]. His administration has also focused on expanding school choice, promoting public safety, and investing in environmental conservation[4]. In 2023, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the 2024 U.S. presidential election but suspended his campaign in January 2024, endorsing Donald Trump[2]. His tenure as governor continues to shape Florida's political landscape and influence national discussions on conservative policies. DeSantis is married to Casey DeSantis, and they have three children together[1][4].