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King George Issues GA Charter
- 1732 King George issues charter for the colony of Georgia. This granted the members of the colony British rights but not the right to self govern. Governing was controlled by a board of trustees who appointed individuals to these positions. Georgia would be named after King George who issued said charter. It is important because it marks the beginning of the colony. (GA)
- 1729 North and South Caroline become royal colonies. (US)
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Slavery legal in Georgia
1751- Slavery was declared allowed within the colony of Georgia. Farmers had complained that other colonies were allowed to have large plantations with slavery and this was holding their production back. The trustees fought against slavery at first and eventually gave in. This would pave the way for growing production and larger agriculture booms in the colony. This was important because it notes slavery as legal and farms can grow production. (GA) 1740- Negro Act of 1740 (US) -
Sugar Act of 1764
Sugar Act of 1764- Created by British Parliament, this act was an attempt at preventing the smuggling of sugar and molasses from other countries. It was a strong customs reinforcement act that ended in protests. These protests would result in the tax being lowered but still imposed. It was important because it continued to create unrest between the colonies and England. (GA) 1765- Stamp Act of 1765 (US) -
Georgia's 2nd Provincial Congress
1775- Georgia's Second Provincial Congress meets. They were not represented at the First Continental Congress and want to have representation for the Second. They vote to elect men already in Philadelphia to represent the state. The voting parties consisted of both Loyalists and Patriots. This was important because it delegated the people who would go to the 2nd Continental Congress. (GA) 1175- Second Continental Congress. (US) -
Battle of Rice Boats
March 23 1776- After the British were defeated in Boston and need of supplies, they sent the Royal Navy to Georgia to purchase supplies, including rice. This provoked the Patriots to arrest James Wright and remove ships containing supplies from Savannah. Ships which could not be removed were burned yet most were taken by British Control. Important because Wright escaped and made it to a British ship which marked the end of British control.(GA) September 16, 1776- Battle of Harlem Highway (US) -
Savannah Becomes State Capital
1782- Savannah became the capital of Georgia. It was a major port at the time and controlled the entrance up the river to Augusta. The revolutionary government at the time operated from Savannah. The establishment as state capital was made without a formal vote. Important because it marked colonial government operating on their own. (GA) 1784- Trenton Becomes capital of New Jersey (US) -
Great Savannah Fire
1820- A fire broke out in a stable in Savannah. The fire then spread down Bay street and towards the market in the town. In this market, illegal powder kegs were stored, once the fire reached them there was an explosion which led to the fire spreading throughout the city. 46 buildings were burned and 2/3 Savannah residents were homeless. Important because it destroyed most of Savannah and left many homeless. (GA) 1829- Great Fayetteville Fire (US) -
Final Cession of Creek Land
1827- This was the final cession of Creek land in Georgia. The Creek nation had already had most of its land taken away by colonists through unfair treaties. At this point, most of Georgia was for the removal of the Creeks. This treaty would take the final pieces of land which belongs to the Creeks throughout the state. This was important because it would mark the beginning of removal of Natives from the state. (GA) 1830- Indian Removal Act of 1830 (US) -
Atlantic & Lagrange Railroads founded
1847- Atlantic and Lagrange railroads were founded in 1847. This railway would provide a transport line between Atlanta and West Georgia. It also connected a a portion of the Atlanta-Selma route. It would eventually be renamed the Atlantic and West Point Railroad. Important because it would continue to connect Georgia cities. (GA) 1850- New York Railway Created (US) -
Georgia votes to secede from Union
1861- Georgia, along with many other states vote to secede from the union. The southern states begin to have worries that Northern states will remove slaves and they will be left with no free work for their farms. States begin to turn against each other as they differ in views. This was important because it would continue with the brewing of the Civil War. (GA) 1861 Southern states secede from Union (US) -
Battle of Chickamauga
1863- Battle of Chickamauga was a battle in the US Civil War and the first major battle which was fought in the state of Georgia. It had the largest number of casualties, only behind the Battle of Gettysburg. Important because Confederates were victorious and it is noted as one of the most significant Union defeats. (GA) 1863- Battle of Gettysburg (US) -
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
1864- The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was a battle in the US Civil War. It was noted as a significant attack led by Sherman against confederate forces. Though it was a defeat for the Union, it did not stop Sherman's route to Atlanta. It was important because it slowed Sherman but did not prevent him. (GA) 1864- Battle of Nashville (US) -
Atlanta becomes capital
1868- After moving the capital around the state, Atlanta was voted as the new and current state capital. Georgians wanted the capital in a central location, close to the growing back country. They placed the capital building on the current capital location for its view over the city. The building was spared during Sherman's march to sea. Important because it placed the capital in a central location, where it is today. (GA) 1876- Lincoln becomes capital of Nebraska -
Georgia readmitted to Union
1870- At the close of the civil war, slavery was abolished and declared free. However, Georgians did not want to give the freed slaves the rights that they should now have. They were denied entry into the Union because of this. After making changes, they were finally let back in. This was important because it put Georgia back in the Union and forced them to make changes. (GA) 1870 - Mississippi readmitted to Union (US) -
First Coke Served in Atlanta
1886- In Jacob's pharmacy, the first Coca-Cola was served. This product would lead to patent after patent and provide jobs to Georgians. Though changing with time, Coke has become a central piece to Atlanta history. It was important because this would be a product that changed lives and industries forever. (GA) 1887- First Groundhogs Day -
Georgia Tech Opens
1888- The Georgia Institute of Technology opened its doors to college students in Atlanta. This was a point of transformation in Georgia as it would make a turn from agricultural south to an industrial south. It was originally opened as the Georgia School of Technology but would later change its name in 1948. Important because it is one of the top schools in the state. (GA) 1888- University of Charleston opens -
Lynching of Same Hose
1888- Sam Hose was accused of killing his boss after he requested time off to visit his mother and was denied. This lead to an argument which his boss pointed a gun a him. Hose was holding an axe at the time, he threw the axe to defend himself and killed his boss. Lies and rumors spread accusing Hose of many things including rape of the boss's wife and child. He was brutally tortured and burned alive. Important to see how people of color were treated. (GA) 1889- Lynching of Orion Anderson (US) -
Georgia Ratifies 18th Amendment
1907- During a time of war, Georgia ratifies 18th amendment, making alcohol illegal. This included the production, transport and sale of all alcoholic products. This people would last until 1935 and be known as Prohibition. Georgians would find ways around this law and produce, sell and transport alcohol illegally. It is important because it would lead to taxes on alcohol sales once it was legal again, providing additional income for the state. (GA) 1918- US passes Wartime Prohibition law (US) -
Georgia permits women to vote
1922- Georgia permitted women's right to vote after years of marching, protests and lobbying. Though it came into federal law in 1920, female Georgians would not be allowed to vote until 1922. The official amendment would not be changed until 1970s but this did not stop women from voting. Important because women were denied rights for entirely too long and this was long overdue. (GA) 1920- 19th Amendment (US) -
Walton County Massacre
1946- The murder of two African American couples (4 individuals total) took place in Walton county. The two couples were tied up and shot more than 60 times. With little cooperation, the FBI was involved. No persons were ever found guilty of the murders, even after reopening the case many years later. Important because it continued to show how brutal people of color were treated by whites. (GA) 1945- Midnight Massacre (US) -
MLK Arrested in sit-ins
1960- Martin Luther King Jr was arrested in Atlanta after refusing to give up his seat at a lunch counter. The seats were designated as white only but people of color were occupying them during the sit in. 52 people were arrested along with MLK, though 16 had their charges dismissed; King did not. Important because it was a peaceful protest against civil rights. (GA) 1960- Greensboro Sit ins (US) -
Atlanta Child Murders
1979- Throughout a period of 1979-1981 28 children, teens and adults were murdered. Wayne Williams was tried and found guilty of 2 of the murders, sentenced to consecutive life sentences. He was linked to several of the other murders, though he has not been formally charged in any of those cases. Important because many of these murders are still unsolved, though "linked" to Williams. (GA) 1978-1995- Unabomber -mail bombings (US) -
GA Lottery Approved
1992- Georgia Lottery was officially approved by voters. According to the law, half the money goes towards the winnings, one third goes towards education funding and the rest is spent on funding the lottery itself. The education money is used to fund the HOPE scholarship which provides in school tuition for students who maintain certain requirements in college. Important because it funds HOPE. (GA) 1996- Big Game (Now Mega Millions) Formed (US) -
Sonny Purdue Elected
2002- Republican Sonny Purdue ran against Roy Barnes and won. he was the first Republican Governor that Georgia had seen since 1872. Purdue ran successfully again, spending 8 years as Governor of Georgia. Purdue was previously a senator, veterinarian and businessman. He now serves as the Secretary of Agriculture. Important because it was the first Rep. Gov sine 1872. (GA) 2002- GW Bush Elected, Republicans took control of Congress (US) -
Operation Not Forgetten
2020- An operation was launched to target missing children who were at high risk for trafficking. 39 Children were found, though not all in one place, or in specific trafficking situations. These children were missing, runaways and also part of custodial battles. The operation continues as more children as located and returned to their families. Important because this operation is bringing children home. (GA) 2020- Executive Order on combating trafficking and online child exploitation (US)