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Georgia State Facts - Georgia History Firsts

Catch up on your state trivia with these Georgia history firsts and interesting fun facts about the state.

Official Name	Georgia
Capital	Atlanta
Location Region	33.76290 N, 084.42259 W South
Constitution Ratified	1977
Statehood	January 02, 1788 4th State
Number of Counties	159 counties
Largest County (by population)	Fulton 816,006 529 sq. mi.

Georgia History Firsts & State Facts

• 1732 - Colonized in 1732 by James Edward Oglethorpe, Georgia was the last of the original thirteen English colonies.
• 1733 - Georgia had four previous capital cities: Savannah (1733-1786), Augusta (1786-1795), Louisville (1796-1806), and Milledgeville (1807-1868). Atlanta became the capital in 1868.
• 1776 - Georgia's population was around 40,000.
• 1788 - Named for King George II of England, Georgia became the fourth state after ratifying the United States Constitution on January 2, 1788.
• 1828 - Auraria, near the city of Dahlongea, was the site of the first Gold Rush in America.
• 1861 - On January 19, 1861, Georgia joined the Confederacy.
• 1862 - The locomotive engine popularly known as The General is housed in the Big Shanty Museum in Kennesaw. It was stolen in the Andrews Railroad Raid in 1862 and later depicted in The Great Locomotive Chase, a popular movie.
• 1886 - Coca-Cola was invented in May 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. The name "Coca-Cola" was suggested by Dr. Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Robinson. He penned the name Coca-Cola in the flowing script that is famous today. Coca-Cola was first sold at a soda fountain in Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta by Willis Venable.
• 1941 - Ways Station was renamed Richmond Hill on May 1, 1941, taking the name of automaker Henry Ford's winter estate.
• 1942 - Jekyll Island was a private resort sold to the state by the owners, a group of millionaires.
• 1975 - The pirate Edward "Blackbeard" Teach made a home on Blackbeard Island. The United States Congress designated the Blackbeard Island Wilderness Area in 1975 and it now has a total of 3,000 acres.

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More Georgia History Firsts & State Facts

• Okefenokee Swamp encompasses over 400,000 acres of canals; moss draped cypress trees, and lily pad prairies providing sanctuaries for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife including several endangered species.
• The Cyclorama Building, in Atlanta, contains a 109 m (385 ft) long painting, said to be the largest mural in the world, which depicts a panoramic view of the Civil War battle of Atlanta.
• Most of Georgia's large lakes are artificial bodies of water constructed by utility companies for power generation, or by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for flood control.
• The Little White House, at the city of Warm Springs, was built for the use of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He died there, and the structure and grounds, including a museum, now serve as a memorial in his honor.
• Cumberland Island National Seashore contains the ruins of Dungeness, the once magnificent Carnegie estate. In addition, wild horses graze among wind swept dunes.
• The late John F. Kennedy, Jr. and his future wife stopped in Kingsland on the way to their marriage on Cumberland Island.
• Historic Saint Marys Georgia is the second oldest city in the nation
• The City of Savanna was the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. It sailed from Georgia.
• Georgia was the first state to allow 18-year-olds to vote.
• The Varsity in Atlanta is the world's largest drive-in fast food restaurant.
• Each year Georgia serves as a host to the International Poultry Trade Show, the largest poultry convention in the world.
• The Seven Wonders of Georgia include Providence Canyon, Warm Springs, Okefenokee Swamp, Tallulah Gorge, Amicalola Falls, Stone Mountain, and Radium Springs.
• Historic Saint Marys Georgia is the second oldest city in the nation.
• Stone Mountain near Atlanta is one of the largest single masses of exposed granite in the world.
• Georgia is the nations number one producer of peanuts, pecans, and peaches
• The official state fish is the largemouth bass.
• In Gainesville, the Chicken Capital of the World it is illegal to eat chicken with a fork.
• Georgia was named for King George II of England.
• Stone Mountain near Atlanta is one of the largest single masses of exposed granite in the world.
• Georgia is the nations number one producer of the three Ps--peanuts, pecans, and peaches
• At the Hawkinsville Civitan Club's Annual Shoot the Bull Barbecue Championship, people from all over Georgia and surrounding states flock to this small south Georgia town to enter their tasty barbecue concoctions in this famous cook-off. The funds raised from this event benefit the Civitan International Research Center and its work toward a cure for Down's syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
• Each year Georgia serves as a host to the International Poultry Trade Show, the largest poultry convention in the world.
• The oldest portable steam engine in the United States is on display at Historic Railroad Shops in Savannah.
• Known as the sweetest onion in the world, the Vidalia onion can only be grown in the fields around Vidalia and Glennville
• Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River.
• Cordele claims to be the watermelon capital of the world.
• The annual Masters Golf Tournament is played at the Augusta National in Augusta every first week of April.
• Georgia is often called the Empire State of the South and is also known as the Peach State and Cracker State.
• Berry College in Rome has the world's largest college campus.
• The Little White House in Warm Springs was the recuperative home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Providence Canyon State Park, near Lumpkin, is known as the Little Grand Canyon of Georgia.
• The Cherokee rose is the official state flower, the live oak the official tree; and the brown thrasher the official bird.
• United States Highway 27 runs the length of Georgia and is known as Martha Berry Highway, named after a pioneer educator.
• Marshall Forest in Rome is the only natural forest within a city limits in the United States.
• The popular theme park - Six Flags Over Georgia, was actually named for six flags that flew over Georgia. England, Spain, Liberty, Georgia, Confederate States of America, and the United States.
• The name of the famous south Georgia swamp, the Okefenokee, is derived from an Indian word meaning the trembling earth.
• Brasstown Bald Mountain is the highest point in Georgia. It has an elevation of 4,784 feet.
• The Cyclorama is a three dimensional panorama that depicts the famous Battle of Atlanta, and is located in Grant Park in Atlanta.
• Thomasville is known as the City of Roses.
• Chickamuga National Park is the site of the bloodiest battle in American history.
• Plains is the home of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President.
• The figures of Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee make up the world's largest sculpture. It is located on the face of Stone Mountain. Additionally Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveler, is also carved at the same place.
• Savannah was the landing site for General James Edward Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia.
• The world's largest Infantry training center is located at Fort Benning.
• The largest Farmer's Market of its kind is located in Forest Park.
• Ralph Bunch, United States diplomat, was the first Georgian to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Callaway Gardens is a world famous family resort, known for its azaleas.
• Wesleyan College in Macon was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women.
• Madison is known for its beautiful antebellum homes spared during Sherman's fiery march to the sea.
• Chehaw in Albany is a well known wild animal park.
• Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon is the largest archeological development east of the Mississippi River.
• Athens is the location of the first university chartered and supported by state funds.

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