1990 - 1999
The Georgia Dome announced it would be the site of Super Bowl XXVIII. Dallas Cowboys defeated Buffalo.
The World of Coke opened near Underground Atlanta.
Atlanta was selected as host for the 1996 Olympic Games. The Olympic Flame was brought to Atlanta, ending an 84-day, 15,280 mile journey across the United States. The Centennial Olympic Games opened in Atlanta. Centennial Park was ripped by an explosion killing an Albany woman and injuring others. Richard Jewell was praised by authorities for his role in saving lives at Centennial Park. Later Jewell was identified in the media as the prime suspect in the bombing. Ultimately he was vindicated.
UGA Football legend Frank Sinkwich died.
Georgia elected Sam Nunn for the U. S. Senate and Zell Miller as Georgia’s 79th Governor.
Eastern Air Lines ceased operations.
Atlanta set a record for 1-hour rainfall total; 3.47 inches fell between 6:52 A. M. and 7:52 A. M.
The United States Post Office began selling a commemorative celebrating Georgian comedian Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel.
“I'll Fly Away” a TV show set in fictional Bryland County, Georgia began a two-year run on NBC.
The Atlanta Braves advanced to the World Series for the first time in 3 years, but lost to the Minnesota Twins. Then they made to the World Series again, but lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. Later in the 90’s the Braves swept the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series and Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combined to beat the Cleveland Indians in the World Series, giving Atlanta its first title.
“Fried Green Tomatoes”, filmed in Fayetteville, Juliette, Senoia and Zebulon was released.
Work on the Georgia Dome was completed; it was the largest cable supported fabric roof in the world.
MARTA's fare increased to $1.25 then to $1.50.
Deion Sanders became the first player to participate in two pro sports games in the same day, playing for Falcons on Sunday afternoon, then playing in the National League Championship Series as an Atlanta Braves that night.
Georgia voters approved the Georgia lottery. The first games were Instant Cash, Georgia Millionaire, Cash 3, and Lotto Georgia. The Lottery funded HOPE Scholarship made its first award. Tickets for Powerball went on sale in Georgia.
William Clinton wins Georgia’s Presidential election. Four years later he defeated Robert Dole for a second term as President. Georgia voted for Dole.
Georgia native actor Sterling Holloway died.
An F4 tornado touches down in Cobb County damage estimated in the millions of dollars.
Sara Tokars was murdered in Marietta. Her husband Fred was convicted of murder as a result of his hiring two men to kill her.
Some areas of metro Atlanta received eight inches of snow during The Storm of the Century. Parts of Georgia were hit with blizzard like conditions responsible for 16 deaths, drifts up to six feet high, and winds gusting to 60 plus mile per hour. Freezing temperatures caused severe damage to crops.
The book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” was published.
Tropical Storm Alberto moved through southwest Georgia causing the worst flooding in history.
“Forrest Gump”, portions of which were filmed in Savannah, was released.
“Cobb”, a film about The Georgia Peach, Ty Cobb was released. It was partially filmed in Royston, his birthplace.
Cherokee County native Dean Rusk died. He was United States Secretary of State in the Kennedy/Johnson administrations.
Newt Gingrich became the first Republican Speaker of the House in 40 years, and the first Georgian to hold the position in 102 years. He went on to serve as speaker of the house for a second term.
By the time the eye of Hurricane Opal reached Georgia, it was downgraded to a tropical depression. Five people died, many more were injured, there was widespread flooding, and property damage was in the millions.
U. S. Senator Sam Nunn announced his retirement.
Butterfly McQueen, best known for her role as "Prissy" in “Gone with the Wind”, died.
“Andersonville”, a movie about Camp Sumter in Andersonville, Georgia was released. Some of the film was shot in Turin, Georgia
The Fox Theater was damaged by a fire.
The Georgia Music Hall of Fame held its Grand opening.
John F. Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette on Cumberland Island.
The Braves played their last game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. It was replaced by Turner Field which was originally Olympic Stadium.
An explosion in Sandy Springs was being investigated by authorities when another bomb went off injuring seven. The Otherside Lounge is the target of two bombs, the first injuring five people, the second harmlessly detonated outside the bar.
Atlanta poet/writer James Dickey died.
The Margaret Mitchell house, where the author lived as she penned Gone With The Wind, was dedicated and opened to the public.
Former Brave Phil Niekro was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is most noted for his knuckleball.
The F-22 Raptor fighter took off for the first time from Dobbins Air Force Base.
Roberto Goizueta, Chairman of the board and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company died.
11-year-old Levi Frady disappears in Forsyth County
A panda bear exhibit featuring Lun-Lun and Yang-Yang opened at ZooAtlanta.
The movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”, filmed in Savannah, opened.
Tornadoes destroyed homes in North Georgia, claiming 14 lives in Hall and White Counties
The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame opened in Macon; it was largest state Hall of Fame in the nation.
Eric Rudolph, a suspect in bombings in the Atlanta area was placed on the FBI's ten most-wanted list.
Roy Barnes was elected Governor of Georgia.
Georgia Tech defeated Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.
The Atlanta Falcons lost to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill No. 1, a landmark in the Cabbagetown area of Atlanta since the 1881 International Cotton Exposition, burns. Dramatic TV footage shows the rescue of a trapped crane operator by firefighter
Georgia born actor DeForest Kelley died
“The General's Daughter”, filmed in part at Wormsloe Plantation, Tybee Island and Savannah, opened.
The National Hockey League announced its expansion included a new team for Atlanta, the Thrashers. Ted Turner won the franchise.
More than 100,000 residents fled their home as Hurricane Floyd headed for the Georgia coast. It eventually made landfall in North Carolina.
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