1. On December 11, 1816, the state of Georgia ceded its western lands to the federal government. This included what is now Alabama and Mississippi. The cession was part of a larger effort by the federal government to open up land to settlers and increase the country's land base.

2. In 1830, the Trail of Tears began on December 11th, as the first Cherokee were forced to leave their lands in Georgia for Indian Territory in the West. The relocation of thousands of Native Americans is one of the most tragic events in American history.

3. On December 11, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman captured Savannah, Georgia, in the American Civil War. The capture of the city was an important victory for the Union and helped pave the way for the end of the war.

4. On this day in 1901, the city of Atlanta experienced a devastating fire that destroyed over 50 city blocks and caused millions of dollars in damages. The fire raged for over 10 hours and left over 10,000 people homeless. The disaster led to improved building codes and fire safety regulations in the city and beyond.

5. December 11, 1972, marked the opening of the Georgia Dome, a massive indoor stadium located in Atlanta. The dome was the largest cable-supported dome in the world at the time and hosted numerous events over the years. It was ultimately replaced by Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017.