1. In 1796, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, making it an official member of the United States of America.

2. On July 31, 1864, during the Civil War, Union troops under the command of General William T. Sherman began the siege of Atlanta, one of the most important battles of the war that ultimately led to the surrender of the Confederate army.

3. In 1932, the notorious bank robber John Dillinger was apprehended in Tucson, Arizona by FBI agents, some of whom were from Georgia. Dillinger had committed a string of robberies and murders throughout the Midwest, and his capture was a major victory for law enforcement.

4. On July 31, 1948, John H. Carter, Jr. became the first African American to be appointed to the Atlanta City Council, breaking down barriers for black Americans in politics and civil society.

5. In 1996, the Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing the world's attention to the city and showcasing the state's culture, economy, and hospitality to millions of viewers. The games were also marked by tragedy, as a bomb exploded in Centennial Olympic Park, killing two people and injuring over 100 others.