The 13th colony and the 4th state to enter the Union, National Georgia Day recognizes the natural wonders and immense complexities of this bastion of Southern culture.

Georgia’s founder, James Oglethorpe, settled the colony’s first capital, Savannah. Georgia would go on to have four more capitals, Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville and finally, Atlanta

Politically and socially, a divide has always seemed to exist. Considering Georgia was initially established as a barrier of fortification between South Carolina’s southern border and the Spanish settled in Florida, perhaps Georgia lived up to destiny.

Official Symbols

State Capital – Atlanta
State Nickname – Peach State
State Motto – Wisdom, Justice & Moderation
State Slogan – Georgia on my mind
State Bird – Brown Thrasher
State Amphibian – Green Tree Frog
State Crop – Peanut
State Flower – Cherokee Rose
State Tree – Live Oak
State Fish – Largemouth Bass
State Fruit – Peach
State Fossil – Shark Tooth
State Insect – Honey Bee

To Sign or Not to Sign

Georgia initially prohibited slavery in 1735. Of the 13 original colonies, she was the only one to do so. The prohibition lasted 15 years. Leading up the Revolution, Georgia leaned toward supporting the crown and was the single colony not in attendance at the First Continental Congress.

During the Second Continental Congress, Georgia first sent one delegate, Lyman Hall. However, Hall didn’t vote because he only represented a single parish in Georgia. The colony later sent Button Gwinnett and George Walton as official delegates. All three signed the Declaration of Independence.

Wars were destructive for Georgia. Her people and the economy suffered, and the resistance to social change persisted.

During the 20th century, industrial and technological advancements found a niche in Georgia’s economy. A hub for airlines, military bases and international corporations, Georgia rebounded once more.

Georgia Flavor

• Brunswick Stew
• Boiled Peanuts
• Fried Chicken
• Vidalia Onions
• Corn Bread
• BBQ
• Okra
• Biscuits & Gravy
• Pecan Pie
• Grits

When it comes to Georgia, words that come to mind include home-cookin’ and comfort food. Don’t be surprised by the serving size, the number of fried foods or desserts. Two things are certain, they’re made from the heart, and they are delicious!

Just about anything can be fried, including okra, green tomatoes, chicken, seafood and Vidalia onions. Since 1986, those sweet onions grow in Vidalia and 20 Georgia counties, and nowhere else by Geogia law.

Peaches are to Georgia like sunshine is summer. Take a bite out a ripe one and let the juice run down your chin. Or, enjoy all the wonderful peach pastries or canned peaches Georgia has to offer.  From pies to jellies, there are so many ways to bring the flavor of Georgia home with you.

Grab a Coca-Cola and some boiled peanuts to enjoy the summer weather. Georgia is home to Coca-Cola and enjoying salty peanuts go back to the Civil War era.

Overall, Georgia’s history is fertile for inspiration. Alongside the peach orchards and cotton fields surge crops of masterful artists, musicians, writers, and poets. Their experiences with the beauty, history, and humanity of Georgia fill the eyes and ears with more than can be appreciated in one visit.

Hidden Treasures

Titan I Missile – Cordele
Gold’n’Gem Grubbin – Cleveland
Giant Peanut Monument – Ashburn
The Big House – Macon
Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village and Discovery Center – Americus
Pasaquan – Buena Vista
The Tree that Owns Itself – Athens
Rousakis Plaza Echo Square – Savannah
A Century of Hats – Savannah
Hindu Temple of Georgia – Fayetteville
Warm Springs – Warm Springs, GA

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Tomochichi – Yamacraw Chief (1644 – October 5, 1739)

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Rebecca Latimer Felton – U.S. Senator (June 10, 1835 – January 24, 1930)

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Juliette Gordon Low – U.S. Girl Scouts Founder – (October 31, 1860 – January 17, 1927)

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Tom Smith – Horse Trainer – (May 20, 1878 – January 23, 1957)

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Ty Cobb – baseball Player (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961)

Blind Willie McTell – Blues Pioneer (May 5, 1889 – August 19, 1959)

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Margaret Mitchell – Author (November 8, 1900 – August 16, 1949)

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Jackie Robinson – Baseball Player (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972)

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James E. Carter – President – October 1, 1924

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Martin Luther King Jr. – Civil Rights Activist (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

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Clarence Thomas – Supreme Court Justice – June 23, 1948

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Julia Roberts – Actress – October 28, 1967

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Cam Newton – Football Player – May 11, 1989

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGeorgiaDay

Exploring the sites, sounds, flavors and beauty of Georgia and use #NationalGeorgiaDay to share on social media.