1. In 1864, during the American Civil War, Union forces under General William T. Sherman burned the city of Atlanta, Georgia. This devastating event was a critical turning point in the war and led to the eventual surrender of the Confederacy.

2. The Georgia General Assembly officially adopted the state flag on March 16, 1956. The flag features the Confederate battle emblem, which has been a subject of controversy and debate for many years.

3. Ray Charles, the legendary singer and composer, was born in Albany, Georgia on March 16, 1930. A pioneer of soul music, Charles had a massive impact on American music and culture during the 20th century.

4. In 1878, the first telephone exchange in Georgia was opened in Atlanta. This marked a significant milestone in the development of telecommunications in the state and paved the way for the widespread adoption of the telephone in Georgia and beyond.

5. On March 16, 1906, the Georgia State Senate passed the infamous "grandfather clause," which was designed to prevent African Americans from voting. This discriminatory law was eventually struck down by the courts, but it highlights the long history of racism and oppression in the state and serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of institutionalized discrimination.