1. In 1777, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, which served as the country's first constitution.

2. On August 16, 1864, Union troops led by General William T. Sherman captured the city of Atlanta in a decisive victory during the Civil War. This sparked a chain of events that eventually led to the collapse of the Confederacy.

3. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. Georgia was among the states that ratified the amendment that year.

4. On August 16, 1963, civil rights activist J.W. Dobbs organized a massive voter registration drive in Atlanta's old Fourth Ward. The event helped pave the way for increased political representation for African Americans in the city and beyond.

5. In 1996, the Summer Olympics came to Atlanta, Georgia, marking the centennial of the modern Olympic Games. August 16 was a particularly memorable day during the games, as Michael Johnson won gold medals in both the men's 200-meter and 400-meter races, setting world records in both events.