Did You Know? Atlanta Facts from 1950-1999

1. In 1965, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport became the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, a title it still holds today.

2. The Atlanta Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, becoming the first Major League Baseball team in the Southeastern U.S.

3. Martin Luther King Jr., a native of Atlanta, delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963.

4. The Atlanta Hawks relocated from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968, becoming a staple of the city’s sports culture.

5. In 1956, Ivan Allen Jr. was elected mayor of Atlanta and became a key figure in the desegregation of public spaces in the city.

6. The Peachtree Road Race, the largest 10K race in the world, was first held in 1970, attracting thousands of runners each year.

7. In 1960, Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall opened, becoming one of the first indoor shopping malls in the Southeast.

8. In 1955, Atlanta Transit System was established, replacing the city’s streetcar network with buses.

9. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moved its headquarters to Atlanta in 1947, expanding its role in public health throughout the decades.

10. Atlanta was awarded the 1996 Summer Olympics in 1990, making it one of the few U.S. cities to ever host the Games.

11. In 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, honored for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement.

12. The Atlanta Underground, an entertainment district, was first developed in the 1960s as part of the city’s urban renewal projects.

13. In 1991, the Georgia Dome opened, serving as the home stadium for the Atlanta Falcons and host to many major events, including Super Bowls and the Olympics.

14. In 1974, Ted Turner launched WTBS, turning it into the first superstation and establishing Atlanta as a hub for cable television.

15. In 1990, Spelman College, a historically Black women’s college, became the first HBCU to receive a $20 million donation from a single benefactor, the Lilly Endowment.

16. In 1961, Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. led efforts to peacefully integrate Atlanta’s public schools, avoiding the violent confrontations seen in other Southern cities.

17. Atlanta’s first professional football team, the Atlanta Falcons, was established in 1965, joining the NFL.

18. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra won its first Grammy Award in 1985, cementing its reputation as one of the top orchestras in the country.

19. In 1981, the Atlanta Child Murders case drew national attention, as more than 28 African American children and young adults were murdered over two years.

20. CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network, was founded in Atlanta by Ted Turner in 1980.

21. In 1958, Atlanta University became the first institution in Georgia to offer graduate programs to African Americans.

22. Six Flags Over Georgia, one of the largest amusement parks in the Southeast, opened just outside of Atlanta in 1967.

23. In 1995, Hartsfield International Airport was renamed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in honor of former mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.

24. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum opened in 1986, preserving the legacy of the 39th president, a Georgia native.

25. In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education led to the eventual desegregation of Atlanta’s public schools.

26. Atlanta’s West End neighborhood became a hub for civil rights activism in the 1960s, home to leaders like Ralph David Abernathy.

27. In 1973, Maynard Jackson became Atlanta’s first African American mayor, setting a precedent for future political leadership in the South.

28. In 1956, the Interstate 75/85 Downtown Connector opened, helping to modernize Atlanta’s highway system.

29. The Atlanta Flames, a professional hockey team, played in the city from 1972 until 1980, when they moved to Calgary.

30. In 1996, the Centennial Olympic Park bombing occurred during the Summer Olympics, killing two people and injuring over 100.

31. Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood saw major commercial development in the 1980s, becoming one of the city’s premier shopping and entertainment districts.

32. The Omni Coliseum, home to the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Flames, opened in 1972 but was demolished in 1997 to make way for Philips Arena.

33. In 1960, the Atlanta Student Movement launched sit-ins and boycotts to challenge segregation in local businesses.

34. The Atlanta Marriott Marquis, with its iconic atrium, was completed in 1985 and became one of the largest hotels in the city.

35. In 1979, the first Georgia World Congress Center opened, becoming one of the largest convention centers in the U.S.

36. Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood home in the Sweet Auburn district was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

37. The Fox Theatre was saved from demolition in 1974 after a grassroots preservation effort, becoming one of Atlanta’s most beloved landmarks.

38. In 1992, the Atlanta Dream was founded as part of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

39. In 1998, Turner Field, originally built for the Olympics, became the new home of the Atlanta Braves after the games.

40. Atlanta’s Central Library, designed by famed architect Marcel Breuer, opened in 1980 as the headquarters of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

41. In 1962, the Ponce City Market building was one of the largest retail distribution centers in the Southeast, known as the Sears, Roebuck & Co. building.

42. In 1977, Ted Turner acquired the Atlanta Braves and transformed the team into one of the most successful franchises in baseball.

43. In 1965, the city of Atlanta integrated public transportation with the introduction of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

44. The Atlanta Opera was founded in 1979, becoming a major player in the city’s performing arts scene.

45. In 1990, Emory University hosted the first Atlanta Science Festival, celebrating scientific discovery and innovation.

46. In 1989, Atlanta became the first city to host the Super Bowl in the Southeast, with Super Bowl XXVIII played at the Georgia Dome.

47. The Carter Center, founded in 1982 by former President Jimmy Carter, became a global nonprofit organization focused on human rights and diplomacy.

48. In 1994, the World Congress Center hosted the G7 Summit, bringing together world leaders from the seven largest advanced economies.

49. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was formed in 1982 when The Atlanta Constitution and The Atlanta Journal officially merged.

50. In 1983, the Southwest Atlanta Hospital became the first African American-owned hospital in the city.

51. The Stone Mountain Park laser show, a popular family attraction, began in 1983 and has drawn millions of visitors since.

52. In 1971, Maynard Jackson ran for mayor of Atlanta and won, becoming the city’s first African American vice mayor.

53. In 1996, Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Summer Olympics, an iconic moment in sports history.

54. The Buckhead Business Association, founded in 1951, played a pivotal role in transforming Buckhead into one of the city’s premier districts.

55. In 1976, The Varsity celebrated its 50th anniversary, having served countless politicians, celebrities, and everyday Atlantans.

56. The Omni Coliseum hosted Elton John’s record-breaking concert in 1974, the first of many major music acts to perform there.

57. In 1981, Delta Air Lines became the largest employer in Atlanta, cementing its role in the city’s growth and economy.

58. The Atlanta BeltLine project, a redevelopment initiative using former rail lines for parks and trails, began planning in 1999.

59. In 1993, Atlanta hosted its first Dragon Con, which has since grown into one of the largest sci-fi and fantasy conventions in the world.

60. The Plaza Theatre, Atlanta’s oldest operating cinema, opened in 1939 and became a cultural landmark, showing films for decades.

61. In 1964, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park became the site of the city’s first major civil rights rally, drawing thousands of participants.

62. The High Museum of Art, designed by architect Richard Meier, opened in 1983 and has since become one of the leading art museums in the Southeast.

63. In 1986, Atlanta hosted the first Atlanta Jazz Festival, which has grown into one of the largest free jazz festivals in the U.S.

64. The 1995 bombing at Centennial Olympic Park during the Summer Olympics shook the city, leading to increased security measures and an ongoing investigation.

65. The Georgia State Capitol building, a symbol of the state’s government, underwent a major restoration in 1979, preserving its historic features.

66. In 1964, The Civil Rights Act was passed, in part due to the efforts of civil rights leaders in Atlanta like Martin Luther King Jr.

67. In 1974, The Omni International Complex, a mixed-use development including the Omni Coliseum, opened as one of Atlanta’s first modern shopping malls.

68. In 1960, Ralph McGill, editor of the Atlanta Constitution, won the Pulitzer Prize for his courageous editorials against segregation.

69. The Atlanta Thrashers, an NHL hockey team, was established in 1999, becoming Atlanta’s second professional hockey franchise.

70. The Jimmy Carter Center became a prominent symbol of diplomacy and global humanitarian work when it opened in 1982.

71. The King Center, dedicated to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was established in 1968 and continues to be a significant landmark.

72. In 1989, the Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its legacy as a luxury hotel of the past.

73. The 1994 World Series was played by the Atlanta Braves, marking one of many successful seasons for the team during the 1990s.

74. In 1982, Stone Mountain Park opened its laser light show, which became a beloved annual tradition for locals and tourists alike.

75. In 1979, Atlanta became the headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), continuing its civil rights mission.

76. In 1990, Grady Memorial Hospital became one of the top trauma centers in the U.S., expanding its services to provide world-class medical care.

77. The Atlanta Silverbacks, a professional soccer team, was founded in 1995, joining the growing sports landscape in the city.

78. The Georgia Aquarium, although not completed until the 2000s, began planning in the 1990s, shaping it into the largest aquarium in the world.

79. In 1957, Morehouse College alumnus Martin Luther King Jr. began leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott, highlighting Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

80. In 1965, Atlanta’s MARTA system was first proposed, and though construction didn’t begin until the 1970s, it transformed public transportation in the city.

81. In 1978, Piedmont Park hosted its first Atlanta Dogwood Festival, which continues to be a celebrated annual event.

82. In 1984, Zoo Atlanta launched its major renovation, transforming from one of the worst-rated zoos in the U.S. to a world-class animal facility.

83. In 1992, Centennial Olympic Park began construction as the centerpiece for the 1996 Summer Olympics, revitalizing downtown Atlanta.

84. In 1968, The Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, was declared a National Historic Site.

85. In 1990, Morris Brown College became the first African American institution to receive accreditation for its new aviation program.

86. In 1975, the Atlanta Braves signed Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, who would become one of the most iconic players in franchise history.

87. In 1991, the World Series saw the Atlanta Braves face off against the Minnesota Twins, marking the team’s emergence as a baseball powerhouse.

88. The High Museum of Art’s expansion, completed in 1999, added several new galleries, enhancing its collection of modern and contemporary art.

89. In 1996, the Paralympic Games were also held in Atlanta following the Summer Olympics, promoting inclusivity in sports.

90. The Georgia World Congress Center, opened in 1976, became a premier destination for large conventions and conferences.

91. In 1987, OutKast, the famous hip-hop duo, formed in Atlanta and would go on to revolutionize the music scene with their Southern hip-hop sound.

92. In 1971, Fulton County Stadium opened as the home of both the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons.

93. In 1967, the first Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in Atlanta, founded by Truett Cathy, eventually becoming a national fast-food chain.

94. In 1997, The Woodruff Arts Center expanded its educational programming, supporting Atlanta’s cultural and performing arts community.

95. In 1989, the Omni Coliseum hosted The Rolling Stones during their Steel Wheels Tour,drawing a massive crowd.

96. In 1973, Atlanta’s first skyscraper, the Equitable Building, was completed, marking the city’s rise as a modern business hub.

97. In 1961, Alonzo Herndon, founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, became one of the wealthiest African Americans in the U.S.

98. In 1988, the Atlanta Business League celebrated its 75th anniversary, supporting African American businesses across the city.

99. In 1993, Tyler Perry, now a famous filmmaker and producer, launched his first play in Atlanta, beginning his path to stardom.

100. In 1998, the Centennial Olympic Games Museum opened in Atlanta, celebrating the 1996 Summer Olympics and its impact on the city.