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Georgia - Charter Created
James Oglethorpe gets the charter to create the new colony of Georgia from King George III. Oglethorpe and twenty other men are appointed as Trustees to oversee and govern the new colony. Oglethorpe and 114 men, women, and children departed on the ship "Anne" towards the new colony. This event is important because it establishes the beginnings of the colony of Georgia and how it began. -
US - The Hat Act is passed by English Parliament.
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Georgia - James Oglethorpe arrives
James Oglethorpe arrives in Georgia and creates the city of Savannah. Oglethorpe and the colonists that arrived with him, work together to build the small city of Savannah. Oglethorpe also sets up a trading treaty with Yamacraw Indians chief, Tomochichi. This is important even because it is the creation of Georgia and Savannah, which still exists today. -
US - The Molasses Act is passed by English Parliament.
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Georgia - James Oglethorpe leads an invasion force.
James Oglethorpe leads an invasion force in an attempt to take St. Augustine from Spain. He managed to capture one fort, but failed in the attempt to take St. Augustine and lost many men in the process. This was important because Oglethorpe was an important part of the war that eventually led to the stop of the Spanish attacks. -
US - Fifty Slaves in Charleston, SC pan a revolt, but are caught and hanged.
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Georgia - William Stephens named president of the Colony of Georgia
Many thought that this should go to James Oglethorpe, but Oglethorpe was stil part of the war against Spain during this time. Once the war is over, Oglethorpe returns to England, never to return to Georgia again. Because Oglethorpe returned to England, Stephens kept his post and remained president until 1751. -
US - Benjamin Franklin helps establish The American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia.
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Georgia - Prohibition of Slavery was abolished.
James Oglethorpe fought hard to keep slavery out of Georgia. Once he was gone, the Trustees gave in to the complaints of Georgia planters and lifted the ban on slavery. This is important because Georgia becomes a very wealthy state because of farming and slavery. -
Iron Act passed by English Parliament.
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Georgia - Trustees give up charter to British government.
Georgia was established to be ruled by twenty-one appointed Trustees. The Trustees sank a lot of money into Georgia, and the crops they had originally thought they could plant and manufacturer failed. Because of all the problems, the Trustees gave up their charter and Britain gained control over the colony. This is important because Georgia becomes a Britain ruled colony just like the other twelve colonies, and thus will play a role in the American Revolution. -
US - Benjamin Franklin becomes joint postmaster general with William Hunter for American Colonies.
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Georgia - John Reynolds is appointed Georgia's first royal governor.
Reynolds, a British Royal Navy captain, was appointed the colonies' first royal governor. Because Reynolds was so strong-headed, he tried to change many things about the colony, including trying to move the capital out of Savannah. He proved to be inadequate and would spend too much money, so his time in office did not last long and he was removed in 1757. This is important because it eventually led to the appointment of James Wright who held the position until the revolution. -
US - The French and Indian or "Seven Years War" begins.
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Georgia - Treaty of Augusta signed
The Treaty of Augusta forced the Creek Indians into major land cessions. This treaty led to Georgia obtaining 2.4 million acres of land from the Creek Indians. The Creek Indians had no choice because they now relied to heavily on trading with the colony. This event is important because of its part in a series of events that lead to the Creeks losing all of their lands in Georgia and being removed from the state. -
US - Treaty of Paris ends the Seven Years War (The French and Indian War)
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Georgia - Button Gwinnett comes to Georgia
Button Gwinnett, a prominent figure in Georgia politics, moves to Georgia to open up a store in Savannah. After his store failed he purchases St. Catherines Island with intentions of becoming a planter. Instead, he becomes active in local politics. This event is important because Gwinnett is an important political figure in Georgia's history and was one of the people sent to sign the Declaration of Independence on Georgia's behalf. -
English Parliment passes The Stamp Act
The first direct tax imposed on American colonies. -
Georgia - Whigs form First Provincial Congress
The Whigs tried to bring Georgia into the Continental Association, which boycotted British trade. This led to six hundred pounds of gun powder being stolen from the royals for the patriots. This is an important event because it starts to show the tensions Georgia had with Britain which led to them gaining independence from Britain like the other twelve colonies. -
US - The American Revolution Begins
Starts with the Battles of Lexington and Concord -
Georgia - Second Continental Congress formed
The Second Continental Congress was formed which led to Georgia officially declaring its independence from Britain. Because Georgians had finally had enough of British control, they decided they wanted to gain their independence with the rest of the colonies. This is important even because if this had not occurred, Georgia may have remained under British control. -
US - Declaration of Independence is signed
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US - Treaty of Paris signed, officially ending The American Revolution and America gaining its independence.
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Georgia - Cherokees sold more than a million acres of land
The Cherokees, who were reliant on trade from Georgia and other colonies, were forced to sell more than a million acres of land. The Native Americans were slowly starting to lose more and more of their land as they continued to be pushed further west. This event is important because it causes more strain on the relationship between the colonists and the Native Americans, and eventually The Trail of Tears. -
Georgia - Delegates sent to Philadelphia
Georgia sent six delegates to Philadelphia to help to amend the Articles of Confederation. This did not happen though and instead lead to the creation of the Constitution of America. This event is important because it led to the creation of the Constitution of American that is still in use today. -
US - Creation of the Constitution of America
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Georgia - Becomes the 4th state to ratify the Federal Constitution.
Because of Georgia's ratification with the Federal Constitution, Georgia officially becomes a state. This event is important because it is the official year that Georgia became a state. -
US - The Constitution of the United States is officially in effect, and has been ratified by all states.
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Georgia - The Constitution of 1789 is created.
The Constitution of 1789, or better known as The Georgia Constitution is created. Georgia modeled its state's constitution from the United States Constitution. This event is important because it shows the start of Georgia enacting their own laws into power. -
US - George Washington appointed the First President of the United States.
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Georgia - The Treaty of New York signed
The Treaty of New York is signed between the Creek Indians and the United States. Creek Indians agreed to give up their lands to the United States government in exchange for the monetary value of $1500 which would be paid annually, and a promise that whites could no longer settle west of the river. -
US - Benjamin Franklin dies at the age of 84.
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Georgia - Compact of 1802
The Compact of 1802, in which Georgia sold its lands to the west, the areas known today as Alabama and Mississippi to the federal government. The amount that they sold the lands totaled $1.25 million. This event is important because up until this point, Georgia was one of the largest states. This sell led to Georgia losing a good portion of its lands and becoming more the size it is today. -
US - After the 1800 United Census, 142 representatives are elected into the U.S. House of Representatives
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Georgia - Trail of Tears
During this time, the United States troops and the Georgia militia rounded up and forcibly removed the Cherokee Indians from their homes, forcing them to march to what is now Oklahoma. This was the newly appointed "Indian territory". The journey was difficult and because of the harsh winter, very cold. This and disease led to the deaths of thousands of Cherokee Indians. This event is important because it shows the final escalation of the removal of the Native Americans from their homeland. -
US - US mint in New Orleans begins operation as Tennessee becomes the first state to enact prohibition laws.
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Georgia - Georgia responds to the Compromise of 1850 and The Georgia Platform
The Compromise of 1850, laws passed that dealt with slavery, added to the already heated up controversy over slavery. Because of this, Georgia passed two acts that defended their position on slavery and giving the governor authorization to call a convention to discuss any and all controversies so that Georgia could give a response to them. This led to the adoption of the Georgia Platform, which accepted the Compromise as long as existing slave laws remained and were not restricted in the west. -
US - Fugitive Slave Act is passed, allows the return of slaves that are brought to the free states.
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Georgia - Georgia passes act to prevent owners from freeing slaves in the event of the owner's death
This event led to even more laws being passed in the state. Free slaves that came into Georgia were now allowed to be captured and sold into slavery, the same for any free blacks that were already living in the state. This was an important event because Georgia was starting to feel attacked by the ever-growing attack on slavery from the North. Events like this showed a mounting rise in tension that led to Georgia succeeding in the Civil War. -
US - Oregon becomes the 33rd state of the United States of America.
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Georgia - Georgia Secession Convension
A convention met in Milledgeville to discuss Georgia seceeding from the Union. This occurred after the election and victory of President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln created a rise in the crisis surrounding slavery, and Georgia acted fast so they could create laws protecting slavery. This event is important because it led to tensions between the North and South and the eventual start of the Civil War. -
US - The start of the Civil War.
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US - Abraham Lincoln is reelected President of the United States.
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Georgia - Sherman's March to Sea
Sherman's March to Sea was the event in which William T. Sherman led Union Troops through Georgia and headed towards Savannah. Sherman's troops terrorized and destroyed as they marched through the state. Sherman destroyed buildings, attacked civilians, tore up railroads and set fire to and destroyed the lands in Georgia. This event was important because it led to the eventual surrender of the Confederate armies. -
US - Abraham Lincoln is shot on April 14, 1865 and dies the following day.
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Georgia - Robert E. Lee's surrender
Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865, however, many Georgians were still in the Confederate army when Lee surrendered and they participated in the final battle of the Civil War at Appomattox. This is an important event for Georgia because it led to Macon, the capital at the time, surrendering to the Union Troops. All remaining Georgia troops in Atlanta also surrendered with the remaining Confederate armies. -
Georgia - Atlanta becomes the capital of Georgia
Atlanta officially becomes the capital of the state of Georgia. Georgia was rapidly becoming Georgia's largest city, thanks to the railroads built throughout the state. After the construction of a new city hall building, and the fact that Atlanta was growing at a very rapid rate, Georgia voted to move the capital of Georgia from Milledgeville to Atlanta. This event is important because it saw the creation of the capital of Atlanta, which the city still is to this present day. -
US - Ulysses S. Grant is elected as the 18th President of the United States
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Georgia - Creation of Coca-Cola
John Pemberton, a druggist who lived in Georgia, created a syrup blend to treat headaches. The creation eventually led to the creation of the Coca-Cola brand soda. Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta was the first pharmacy to sell the carbonated fountain drink. This event is important because Coca-Cola is one of the largest companies today, operating all over the world. The headquarters of the company are still located in Atlanta. -
US - United States President Grover Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, New York, NY.
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Georgia - Southern Railway Company is charted
The railroad system was quickly becoming a very important powerhouse in the transportation infrastructure of Georgia. During this time the Southern Railway Company was charted and set up its headquarters in Atlanta. The Railway continued to run throughout Georgia until 1982 when it became Norfolk Southern Railway. This event is important because this railway system is still in use today. -
US - The Republic of Hawaii was founded.
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Georgia - The Great Depression and the New Deal
Georgia was hit hard from the stock market crash of 1929. Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs offered some assistance to a state overburdened by unemployment and low morale. Even though it was met with opposition by some, the New Deal offered Georgia some relief during the Great Depression. This event is important because some of the programs set up to help Georgia during the Great Depression are still being used in present-day Georgia. -
US - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Emergency Banking Act of 1933
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Georgia - Jackie Robinson signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers
Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to sign a contract with a major league baseball team. Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 11, 1947. Robinson was a native Georgian. This event was important because it was a huge deal that broke the color barrier and allowed African Americans to start playing in major league sports. -
US - The National Security Act of 1947 was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman
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Georgia - The Albany Movement
Civil rights protests started to take place around the city. These protests were referred to as The Albany Movement. It started as a movement to integrate train and bus stations, and would eventually lead to protests around the city and would lead to many arrests. This event is important because it brought national attention to the Civil Rights movement because Martin Luther King Jr became involved. -
US - John F. Kennedy is sworn into office as the 35th President of the United States
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Georgia - Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, TN. King, a prominent figure in the Civil Rights movement was from Atlanta. His funeral was held in Atlanta with over 200,000 people lining the streets to see his coffin as it was carried by. This event is important because Martin Luther King Jr. played a pivotal role in American history for both the United States and Georgia. A national holiday was created for the native Georgian. -
US - President Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.