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University of Georgia founded
When the University of Georgia was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly on January 27, 1785, Georgia became the first state to charter a state-supported university. In 1784 the General Assembly had set aside 40,000 acres of land to endow a college or seminary of learning. -
Eli Whitney and Cotten Gin
In 1794, U.S.-born inventor Eli Whitney (1765-1825) patented the cotton gin, a machine that revolutionized the production of cotton by greatly speeding up the process of removing seeds from cotton fiber. -
Yazoo Land Fraud
The Yazoo land fraud took place in 1795, when four companies bribed members of the Georgia legislature to sell 35 million acres of land for just $500,000 (1.5 cents per acre). ... Unfortunately for the legislature, the companies had already sold most of the land to speculators. -
Dalonega Gold Rush
Gold was discovered in Carroll County, Georgia, in 1830. ... and Dahlonega was said to have supported 15,000 miners at the height of the gold rush. During this rapid influx of prospectors and settlers, tensions with the Cherokee increased. -
Capital moved To Louisville
Atlanta becomes Georgia's capital. From the time Savannah held the title of state capital, a majority of Georgia was unhappy with the choice. ... After the British left, the capital was moved to Augusta, then Louisville while a new city was being built on the Oconee River, reflecting the western move of Georgia's populace.
