History of Georgia, USA

1732 - June 9 - Royal charter for Georgia granted to James Oglethorpe

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1783 - Americans recapture Georgia
In 1783, Americans recaptured Georgia from British control, marking a significant moment in the final stages of the American Revolutionary War. Georgia had been the last of the original Thirteen Colonies to be liberated from British rule. The successful campaign to reclaim the state was part of a broader strategy by American forces to expel British troops from the southern colonies, where the British had hoped to find loyalist support.

The recapture of Georgia was achieved through a combination of military tactics, including a series of successful engagements and the support of local militias and French forces.
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996

1788 - Named for King George II of England, Georgia became the fourth state after ratifying the United States Constitution on January 2, 1788.

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1795 - Yazoo Land Fraud took place; treaty between Spain and U. S. settled border between Georgia and Spanish territory of Florida

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1828 - Gold is discovered in northern Georgia
In 1828, gold was discovered in northern Georgia, setting off a frenzy that would come to be known as the Georgia Gold Rush. The discovery was made by Benjamin Parks, a farmer who stumbled upon gold while plowing his field in present-day Lumpkin County. News of the find spread rapidly, attracting thousands of prospectors from across the United States, particularly from nearby states like North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as from more distant places.

The Georgia Gold Rush had a significant impact on the region, leading to a rapid influx of settlers and the development of new towns, including Dahlonega, which became a major hub for gold mining operations. The discovery also had broader implications, contributing to the forced removal of Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in Georgia as white settlers sought to exploit the newly discovered gold resources.
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996

January 16, 1831 - A great snowstorm raged from Georgia to Maine. Snowfall totals greater than 30 inches were reported from Pennsylvania across southern New England.

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1861 - January 19 – American Civil War: Georgia secedes from the Union.
On January 19, 1861, Georgia made a historic decision to secede from the United States, marking a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the American Civil War. The secession was a response to growing tensions between Southern states, which relied heavily on slavery, and the Northern states, where abolitionist sentiments were gaining momentum. Georgia's secession was driven by fears that the incoming Lincoln administration would seek to abolish slavery, threatening the Southern way of life and economy.

The secession of Georgia further intensified the division between North and South, setting the stage for the bloody conflict that would follow. It also solidified the Confederacy as a separate entity, leading other Southern states to follow suit in the coming months.
January 19, 1861

1865 - May 10 – American Civil War: Jefferson Davis is captured by the Union Army near Irwinville, Georgia.
On May 10, 1865, a significant event occurred in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America, was captured by Union soldiers near Irwinville, Georgia. This event marked a crucial turning point in the war's conclusion and the Union's efforts to reunify the country.

Davis had been on the run for several weeks, trying to evade capture as the Confederate forces crumbled. His capture symbolized the end of the Confederacy and was a significant blow to the morale of the remaining Confederate troops and supporters. With Davis in custody, the Union had effectively dismantled the political leadership of the Confederacy, hastening the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the Reconstruction era in the United States.
May 10, 1865

1881 - Hurricane struck coast of Georgia, killed 700, many homeless
In 1881, a devastating hurricane struck the coast of Georgia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The hurricane, which occurred in early October, is estimated to have killed around 700 people, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in Georgia's history. The storm surge and high winds caused extensive damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure, leaving many people homeless and communities in disarray.

The impact of the hurricane was felt throughout the region, with coastal towns bearing the brunt of the destruction. The storm served as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, prompting efforts to improve hurricane forecasting and disaster preparedness in the years that followed.
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February 19, 1884 - Severe thunderstorms spawned sixty tornadoes in the southeastern U.S., killing more than 420 persons and causing three million dollars damage. Georgia and the Carolinas hardest were hit in the tornado outbreak.

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February 19, 1884

1893 - Hurricane struck southern coast of Georgia, 2,000 dead, more than 30,000 homeless; public hangings abolished
In 1893, a devastating hurricane struck the southern coast of Georgia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The hurricane resulted in the deaths of around 2,000 people and left more than 30,000 others homeless. The impact of the hurricane was felt deeply in the affected communities, with homes destroyed, infrastructure damaged, and lives shattered. The event highlighted the vulnerability of coastal areas to natural disasters and underscored the need for improved disaster preparedness and response measures.

Additionally, 1893 marked a significant shift in societal attitudes towards punishment with the abolition of public hangings. This decision reflected changing perspectives on justice and the treatment of criminals. The abolition of public hangings represented a step towards more humane and private forms of punishment, marking a turning point in the history of criminal justice in Georgia.
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1895 - Georgia
Georgia, (named in honor of George II, King of Great Britain), one of the Southern States of the American Union, bordering on the Atlantic, is bounded N. by North Carolina and Tennessee, N.E. and E. by South Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean, S. by Florida, and W. by Alabama. From South Carolina it is divided by the Savannah and Chattooga Rivers; from Florida, in part, by St. Mary's River, and from Alabama (partly) by the Chattahoochee. Its extreme limits are the parallels of 30° 21' and 35° N. lat. and the meridians of 80° 48' and 85° 38' W. lon. Extreme length, 320 miles from N. to S.; greatest breadth. 254 miles. Present area (much reduced since 1798), 59,475 square miles. Georgia was one of the original 13 states of the Union...

Pop. in 1775, 75,000; in 1790, 82,548; in 1800, 162,686; in 1810, 252,433; in 1820, 340,985; in 1830, 516,283; in 1840, 691,392; in 1850, 906,185; in 1860, 1,057,286; in 1810, 1,184,109; in 1886, 1,542,180; in 1890, 1,837,353.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1903 - Tornado hit Gainesville and New Holland, 106 dead; earthquake struck Tybee Island/Savannah

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1918 - Spanish flu struck; thousands died

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1921 - Boll weevils reduced cotton crop to half
In 1921, Georgia faced a devastating agricultural crisis as the boll weevil, a small beetle native to Mexico, invaded the state's cotton fields. This invasive pest had been steadily moving eastward across the southern United States since its initial arrival in the early 20th century. The boll weevil's impact was particularly severe in Georgia, a state heavily reliant on cotton production as a major economic staple.

The boll weevil's feeding habits wreaked havoc on cotton crops, destroying the cotton bolls and significantly reducing yields. The infestation in Georgia was so severe that it led to a dramatic decline in cotton production, with the crop being reduced to half its normal output in some areas. This had far-reaching consequences, impacting not only farmers' livelihoods but also the state's economy as a whole.
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1922 - November 21 – Rebecca Felton of Georgia takes the oath of office, becoming the first woman United States Senator.
On November 21, 1922, Rebecca Latimer Felton made history by becoming the first woman to serve as a United States Senator. Her appointment was particularly notable because it was brief—Felton served for just one day. This remarkable event occurred when she was appointed by Georgia Governor Thomas W. Hardwick to fill the vacancy left by the death of Senator Thomas E. Watson. At 87 years old, Felton's appointment was seen as symbolic, as she was the oldest freshman senator to enter the U.S. Senate.

Despite her brief tenure, Felton's appointment marked a significant moment in American political history. She was a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement and a well-known advocate for women's rights and social reforms.
November 21, 1922

1924 - Delta Airlines starts as crop dusting company
In 1924, the foundation of what would later become Delta Air Lines was laid when a small crop-dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters was founded in Macon, Georgia. The company, named after its founder, C. E. Woolman, began by providing agricultural aerial dusting services to combat boll weevil infestations that were devastating cotton crops in the Southern United States. This innovative approach to pest control proved successful, and the company quickly expanded its operations.

As Huff Daland Dusters grew, it diversified its services and started transporting passengers and mail. This shift marked the beginning of the airline's transformation from a crop-dusting company to a full-fledged airline. In 1928, the company was renamed Delta Air Service, and in 1929, it began passenger flights between Dallas, Texas, and Jackson, Mississippi.
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1936 - April 6 – Two tornadoes strike Gainesville, Georgia. The smaller tornado hits north Gainesville, the stronger tornado the west side of town. 203 die and 1,600 are injured
On April 6, 1936, Gainesville, Georgia, was struck by a devastating pair of tornadoes that wreaked havoc across the town. The first tornado, though smaller, caused significant damage to the north side of Gainesville, leaving destruction in its wake. However, the more powerful tornado struck the west side of town, unleashing catastrophic force and leaving a trail of devastation in its path. The twin tornadoes resulted in a tragic loss of life, with 203 people losing their lives and a staggering 1,600 individuals sustaining injuries.

The impact of the tornadoes was profound, both in terms of the immediate human toll and the long-term effects on the community. The tornadoes destroyed homes, businesses, and infrastructure, leaving many residents without shelter or basic necessities. The disaster prompted a massive relief effort, with volunteers and aid organizations rushing to the aid of the affected population.
April 6, 1936

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Georgia:
1. Atlanta: The Capital City

Visit the Georgia Aquarium: One of the largest aquariums in the world, it's home to thousands of marine species.

Explore the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site: Learn about the Civil Rights Movement and the life of Dr. King.

Take a stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden: A stunning collection of plants from around the world.

Catch a game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC.
Visit the World of Coca-Cola: Discover the history and taste various Coke products from around the globe.

Enjoy the Atlanta History Center: Explore exhibitions, historic houses, and beautiful gardens.

2. Savannah: Historic Charm

Walk through Forsyth Park: A beautiful urban park with gardens, fountains, and walking paths.

Explore the historic district: Admire the cobblestone streets, historic homes, and oak-lined squares.

Visit the Mercer-Williams House: Made famous by the book and movie "Midnight in... Read MORE...