Timeline of Georgia History
(1540) Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto explores the area.
(1565) Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez established numerous forts and missions
(1670s) Pirates plague the settlements along the Georgia coastline
(1716) Blackbeard, the pirate, headquarters on an offshore island
(1732) King George II charters, and declares, Georgia the 13th colony
(1733) James Oglethorpe establishes Georgia as the thirteenth colony based on the charter from King George II
(1736) James Oglethorpe and a large group of colonists founded the city of Savannah
(1788) British stage a surprise attack during the Revolutionary War, and capture Savannah
(1788) Georgia ratifies the U.S. Constitution and become the 4th U.S. State
(1838) The remaining Indians within the state are forced but, and their journey west is later named, "the Trail of Tears."
(1861) Georgia secedes from the Union and joins the Confederacy
(1864) During the Civil War, General Sherman's troops burn Atlanta to the ground, and leave a path of destruction throughout the state
(1870) After the Civil War, Georgia rejoins the Union
(1881) Georgia is rebuilding and Atlanta hoists the International Cotton Exposition
(1886) The first Coca Cola goes on sale at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta
(1921) Similar to Alabama, boll weevils destroy the state's cotton crop
(1934) The first Master's Golf Tournament is held at Augusta National Golf Club
(1943) 18-year-olds given the right to vote, as Georgia becomes the first U.S. State to do so
(1968) Martin Luther King, Georgia native, assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee
(1977) Jimmy Carter inaugurated as U.S. President
(1996) Atlanta hosts the Olympic Games
(1565) Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez established numerous forts and missions
(1670s) Pirates plague the settlements along the Georgia coastline
(1716) Blackbeard, the pirate, headquarters on an offshore island
(1732) King George II charters, and declares, Georgia the 13th colony
(1733) James Oglethorpe establishes Georgia as the thirteenth colony based on the charter from King George II
(1736) James Oglethorpe and a large group of colonists founded the city of Savannah
(1788) British stage a surprise attack during the Revolutionary War, and capture Savannah
(1788) Georgia ratifies the U.S. Constitution and become the 4th U.S. State
(1838) The remaining Indians within the state are forced but, and their journey west is later named, "the Trail of Tears."
(1861) Georgia secedes from the Union and joins the Confederacy
(1864) During the Civil War, General Sherman's troops burn Atlanta to the ground, and leave a path of destruction throughout the state
(1870) After the Civil War, Georgia rejoins the Union
(1881) Georgia is rebuilding and Atlanta hoists the International Cotton Exposition
(1886) The first Coca Cola goes on sale at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta
(1921) Similar to Alabama, boll weevils destroy the state's cotton crop
(1934) The first Master's Golf Tournament is held at Augusta National Golf Club
(1943) 18-year-olds given the right to vote, as Georgia becomes the first U.S. State to do so
(1968) Martin Luther King, Georgia native, assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee
(1977) Jimmy Carter inaugurated as U.S. President
(1996) Atlanta hosts the Olympic Games