1. In 1775, the colonial government of Georgia committed itself to the cause of American independence from Britain.

2. On May 9, 1864, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston retreated from the Battle of Resaca in northern Georgia, setting the stage for General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign.

3. In 1952, Georgia hosted its first NASCAR race at the Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta.

4. May 9, 1980, saw the opening of the Georgia Dome, which would host countless sporting events and concerts over the course of its 25-year existence.

5. In 2012, Georgia's Republican Governor Nathan Deal signed a controversial immigration law that, among other things, required many employers to check the immigration status of their workers. The law was subsequently challenged in court and ultimately struck down.