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The first section of Interstate 85 opens in Mecklenburg County. The super-highway will link the Charlotte to Atlanta, Durham, and other important business centers. By the time construction begins on Interstate 77, the Queen City's future as a fast-growing economic hub will be assured.
August 27, 1956 - Independence Boulevard opens, replacing unpaved sections of Stonewall Street. As the massive roadway links the east and west sides of Charlotte, it cuts through Second Ward, home of many of the city's black families.
February 28, 1960 - On a half-mile dirt track at the Charlotte Fairgrounds, 22-year-old Richard Petty wins his first race. He will go on to become the winningest driver in the history of stock car racing, known as NASCAR.
October 15, 1974 - Nationally, Charlotte becomes known as the city that made integration work. School children write letters to Boston's newspaper, the Globe, and share their stories.
January 25, 1965 - A dynamite blast destroys the car that belongs to Julius Chambers. Luckily, he is not hurt. Chambers is the attorney who recently filed legal action against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board on behalf of the Swann family. He will be the target of violence again.
Since the 1950s, south Charlotte businessmen have dominated local politics. Now, neighborhood groups and others work for district representation. This new method of structuring the voting districts gives black citizens an opportunity to elect members of their own communities to public office.
March 15, 1986 - The Afro-American Cultural Center opens. It is located in the old Little Rock AME Zion Church on the edge of the First Ward neighborhood. The center sponsors theater, art and exhibitions that celebrate the African American history of Charlotte.
February 14, 1987 - No longer will the Charlotte Observer refer in print to the center city as downtown. From now on, the largest daily newspaper in the Carolinas will use the term uptown as a way to help civic leaders promote the upbeat, positive attitude of the Queen City.
November 4, 1988 - The Bugs are alive at the Hive! In their first game, 23,338 fans swarm into the new coliseum as the new NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, play the Cleveland Cavaliers.
December, 1990 - Three hundred local school volunteers are honored as Points of Light, President George Bush's award that recognizes the contributions of ordinary citizens. Through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg program, 90% of students that have been tutored or mentored have been promoted.
September 2, 1996 - A dream has come true for Carolina sports fans. The Panthers play their first regular season game at the Charlotte's brand new Ericsson Stadium. Thousands cheer as the Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons, 29-6.
March 15, 1992 - The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County publishes An African American Album. Families throughout the community have shared their treasured photographs.
November 3, 1992 - Charlotte's Mel Watt and Warrenton's Eva Clayton are the first blacks from North Carolina elected to the U.S. Congress since the era that followed the Civil War more than 100 years ago.
Interstate buses desegregated: January 5, 1956.
Wilbert Martin, a bus porter, holds old signs and looks at the new sign at the Charlotte bus station.
Although buses that travel between states are now desegregated, segregation is still the law for in-state travel.
August 27, 1956 - The final link of Independence Blvd. is completed.
Rev. Colemon Kerry, Jr., pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, is defeated in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board election by anti-busing opponents. He was the first and only black member to serve on the board, having been appointed in the late 1960s to fill a vacancy.
June 30, 1982 - Richardson is elected to the state senate.
Photo - Jim Richardson of Charlotte is congratulated by a youth.
A graduate of Second Ward, Richardson becomes known as a highly effective legislator.
1985 - The Color Purple is shot in nearby Marshville.
Charlotte musicians Johnny Holloway (pictured) and Maria Howell appear in the Steven Spielberg film.
Additional photo shows Spielberg at work.