Georgia Day

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Official name
Also called
Observed by	State of Georgia
Liturgical color
Type	Historical
Significance	Commemorates the founding of the Province of Georgia
Celebrations
Observances
Begins

Georgia Day is a holiday observed in the U.S. state of Georgia on February 12 each year. It marks the anniversary of the founding of the Province of Georgia in 1733. The day is celebrated to honor the arrival of James Oglethorpe and the first settlers on the ship Anne at Yamacraw Bluff on the Savannah River, where they established the city of Savannah.

History

The Province of Georgia was the last of the original Thirteen Colonies to be established. It was founded by James Oglethorpe, a British Member of Parliament and philanthropist, who envisioned the colony as a place for the "worthy poor" of England to start anew. Oglethorpe and his settlers arrived on February 12, 1733, and were greeted by Tomochichi, the chief of the Yamacraw tribe, who played a crucial role in the peaceful establishment of the colony.

The founding of Georgia was significant for several reasons. It served as a buffer state between the prosperous English colonies to the north and Spanish Florida to the south. Additionally, it was intended to be a place where debtors and the poor could have a fresh start, although this vision was not fully realized.

Celebrations

Georgia Day is not a public holiday, but it is observed in schools and by historical societies throughout the state. Educational programs and activities are organized to teach students about the history and significance of Georgia's founding. Some schools hold special assemblies, reenactments, and history projects to commemorate the day.

Significance

Georgia Day serves as a reminder of the state's rich history and its role in the early development of the United States. It highlights the contributions of James Oglethorpe and the early settlers, as well as the cooperation between the settlers and the Native American tribes, particularly the Yamacraw.

Also see

• James Oglethorpe
• Savannah, Georgia
• Thirteen Colonies
• Yamacraw Bluff
• Tomochichi
• History of Georgia (U.S. state)