1. On August 12, 1891, the first football game was played in the state of Georgia. Mercer University defeated Georgia Tech 12-6 in Macon, Georgia. This marked the beginning of a rich football tradition in the state, with Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia being two of the most successful programs.

2. On August 12, 1902, the first automobile race in Georgia was held in Atlanta. The race covered 26 miles and was won by R. F. Heard in a Winton automobile. This event helped to establish a love for automobiles in the state, with Georgia being home to several famous racetracks including the Atlanta Motor Speedway and Road Atlanta.

3. August 12, 1947 marked the opening of the world’s first drive-in movie theater in Atlanta. The drive-in was designed by Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. and could accommodate 400 cars. This entertainment concept became incredibly popular in Georgia and across the United States throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

4. On August 12, 1960, Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Rome. The Clarksville, Georgia native was the first American woman to accomplish such a feat and became a symbol of perseverance and excellence for generations of athletes.

5. August 12, 1986 saw the opening of the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The aquarium is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and houses over 100,000 animals in more than 10 million gallons of water. It has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the state and a symbol of Georgia’s commitment to environmental preservation.