1. The First Public Bank Opened in Georgia - On January 9, 1786, the Bank of Georgia opened in Savannah. It was the first public bank in the state and was established to help fund the new government and boost economic growth.

2. Georgia's First U.S. Senator was Elected - On January 9, 1789, William Few was elected as Georgia's first U.S. Senator. He was one of Georgia's representatives at the Constitutional Convention and played a key role in ratifying the U.S. Constitution.

3. Georgia's First Iron Foundry Opened - On January 9, 1809, the Eagle Foundry and Machine Works opened in Augusta, Georgia. It was the state's first iron foundry and helped accelerate the industrial growth of the region.

4. Georgia's Emancipation Proclamation Went Into Effect - On January 9, 1863, Georgia Governor Joseph Brown's executive order went into effect declaring all slaves within the state of Georgia free. This was significant as it came before President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and was one of the first steps in ending slavery in the state.

5. The First Coca-Cola Bottling Plant Opened - On January 9, 1899, the first Coca-Cola bottling plant opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee, just a few miles from the Georgia state line. Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, Georgia, and the opening of this plant marked the beginning of the beverage's global distribution.