Historical Events in Georgia and the US

  • 1540

    Hernande de Soto Visits Georgia

    Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is the first European to visit Georgia. I chose to use this event as it shows when Georgia was first visited. I'm sure that Native Americans met do Soto and he was fully aware that this land was already occupied.
  • Slaves Forced To America

    Enslaved Africans were forced to come to America in 1619.
  • Massachusetts Makes Slavery Legal

    Massachusetts became the first North American colony to recognize slavery as a legal institution.
  • More Strict Rules on Slaves in NY Due to Assault

    A slave revolt in New York City, during which nine white men died, led to increased restrictions on slaves.
  • Savannah is Born

    James Oglethorpe sets up a colony later known as Savannah, Georgia. Oglethorpe discovers this land after becoming friends with some of the natives that were already there. Savannah becomes the first established city in Georgia.
  • Spanish Invasion

    The Spanish Invade Georgia
  • Battle of Bloody Marsh

    At the Bloody Marsh Battle Site on July 7th, 1742, an outnumbered force of British troops ambushed and defeated Spanish troops, halting a planned attack on Fort Frederica.
  • First African Baptist Church Forms in Savannah

    The First African Baptist Church in Savannah was established in 1773. This would later also serve as a safehouse as part of the Underground Railroad.
  • Georgia Declares Independence

    Georgia signs the Declaration of Independence from Britain. I chose this event because I think it is important to understand how Georgia was founded. Although Georgia declared its independence, it didn't treat its own people with liberty and justice. In fact, African Americans were seen as merely possessions of the white man.
  • Declaration of Independence

    The founding document of the United States is written.
  • Siege of Savannah

    American forces began a month-long battle to recapture Savannah, however British forces are able to successfully hold the city.
  • Georgia Becomes a State

    It was the 4th state.
  • 1st Battle of Savannah

    Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell leads British forces in the Capture of Savannah.
  • Georgia Fugitive Slave Act

    The Fugitive Slave Act passed.
  • First Major Slave Rebellion

    First major slave rebellion was planned.
  • US Bans Importation of Slaves

    United States bans all importation of slaves.
  • New York Abolishes Slavery

  • Georgia Gold Rush Begins

    Gold is found in northern Georgia and the Georgia Gold Rush begins. The Gold Rush drove many people into the northern part of Georgia and drove out the Native Americans that inhabited the area. I chose this event to show how the inhabitants of Georgia were driven out by greed.
  • Indian Removal Act Signed

    President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act. This act forced the Native Americans to move West.
  • Most Brutal Slave Retaliation in US

    More than 75 slaves came together and killed at least 60 white people.
  • American Anti-Slavers Society Formed in PA

    The American Anti-Slavers Society is founded at Philadelphia.
  • First Public Housing in Atlanta

    The first public housing is built in Atlanta in 1935. This federally funded housing unit was located northwest of downtown. I chose to include this event as a way to show how the choices of the privileged and racist white man shaped Atlanta and what it is today.
  • Cherokees are Driven Out of Georgia

    The Cherokee Indians in northern Georgia are forced to march to Oklahoma in what would be called the "Trail of Tears."
  • US Supreme Court Rules Black People Aren't Citizens

    US Supreme Court Rules Black People Aren't Citizens of the United States and therefore do not have equal rights.
  • President Abraham Lincoln is Elected

    President Abraham Lincoln is Elected. I chose to use this event because Lincoln was instrumental in beginning the process to end slavery.
  • Georgia Joins the Confederacy

    Georgia secedes from the Union joining the Confederate States of America.
  • Southern States Secede from the Union

    Eleven southern states eventually seceded from the Federal Union. These states wanted to keep slavery alive. That was their sole purpose in seceding from the Union.
  • Battle of Chickamauga

  • Emancipation Proclamation

  • Georgia - March to the Sea

    Sherman's "March to the Sea" from Atlanta to Savannah occurs.
  • Maryland Abolishes Slavery

  • Missouri Abolishes Slavery

  • Tennessee Abolishes Slavery

  • Civil War Ends

  • Juneteenth

    Slavery is emancipated in the United States.
  • Georgia Becomes a Part of the Union Again

    Georgia is restored to the Union.
  • NAACP is Formed

    The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is formed in the United States.
  • President Roosevelt becomes 26th President

    President William McKinley was assassinated and Vice President Roosevelt became the 26th president.
  • Atlanta, GA - Massacre of 1906

    On September 22, 1906, many innocent African Americans were killed at the hands of white boys and men. It was believed that these African Americans were assaulting and white girls and women so the white men wanted justice. The media hyped this huge lie up that led to this. I chose this event as played a major role in Atlanta's evolution.
  • Boll Weevil Invades Georgia Cotton Crops

    Boll weevil cuts Georgia and South Carolina Cotton production in half.
  • Tulsa, OK Race Massacre

    The Black Wall Street Marketplace is destroyed by white mobs. I chose to include this as Atlanta recently created a similar marketplace modeling the one in Oklahoma.
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education legally ends segregation in the public school system.
  • UGA enrolls two Black students

    University of Georgia enrolls two Black students, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes, under federal court order.
  • GT admits three Black students

    September 18 - Georgia Tech admits three Black students.
  • Atlanta Elects First Black Mayor

    Maynard Jackson was elected with 60 percent of the vote, as the first African-American mayor of Atlanta and any major southern city.
  • Atlanta Hosts Olympics

    Atlanta hosts the Olympics. I chose this event as a way to show how far we have come in the state of Georgia.
  • First Black President of the US is Elected

    President Obama is elected.
  • Trayvon Martin Killed

    An innocent black boy is shot for looking suspicious. The killer was not found guilty of the crime. I chose this event as it shows that black people are still not treated equal even in the 20th century.
  • First Black Women Elected As Vice President

    Vice President Kamala Harris is elected.
  • The Death of George Floyd

    A black man is killed by police for a non violent crime. I chose to use this event to show that racism is not gone in this country and the events that built our country are still having an effect on our day to day lives.
  • New Black Wall Street Opens in Atlanta

    New Black Wall Street Opens in Atlanta. This is a bustling black business district that is mirrored to one in Oklahoma.