Atlanta, Georgia

1864Sherman Burns Atlanta: After a brutal four-month siege, Union General William T. Sherman captured Atlanta and ordered the city burned before beginning his March to the Sea. The destruction became a symbol of the Civil War's devastation.

1955Civil Rights Movement Headquarters: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn district, made the city the operational headquarters of the civil rights movement through Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

1996Atlanta Hosts the Olympics: Atlanta hosted the Centennial Olympic Games, bringing 10,000 athletes and global attention to the city. A pipe bomb in Centennial Olympic Park killed one person and injured 111, casting a shadow over the games.

1886Coca-Cola Invented: Pharmacist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in Atlanta, creating what would become the world's most recognizable brand and one of Atlanta's most important corporations.

1971World's Busiest Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport began its rise to become the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, a title it has held almost continuously since 1998.

1906Atlanta Race Massacre: White mobs attacked Black neighborhoods in downtown Atlanta, killing at least 25 Black residents and destroying Black-owned businesses. The violence shaped Atlanta's racial geography for decades.

1837Atlanta Founded as Railroad Terminus: The Western and Atlantic Railroad chose a spot in north Georgia as its southern terminus, founding what was first called 'Terminus,' then 'Marthasville,' and finally 'Atlanta.'.

1973Maynard Jackson Elected Mayor: Maynard Jackson became the first Black mayor of a major Southern city, transforming Atlanta's government and establishing policies that empowered Black businesses and communities.

1980Atlanta Child Murders: Between 1979 and 1981, at least 28 Black children and young adults were murdered in Atlanta. Wayne Williams was convicted of two adult murders, but many cases remain disputed.

2018Film Industry Boom: Georgia's generous tax credits made Atlanta the top filming location outside LA. Black Panther, Stranger Things, and dozens of major productions established Atlanta as 'Hollywood of the South.'.