Timeline of Georgia's main events By kroller Jan 2, 1788 Georgia becomes a state Apr 9, 1865 The confederacy surrendered in the Civil War Jun 23, 1876 State Capital moves from Milledgville to Atlanta May 12, 1886 Coca-Cola invented Sep 22, 1906 Race riots in Atlanta kill 21 people Jan 15, 1924 Martin Luther King Jr. was born Dec 15, 1939 Film ''Gone With the Wind'' premiers in Atlanta May 16, 1996 Olympiccs were in Atlanta