Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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90s Charlotte 1990-1999

1996 - Billy Graham

September 26, 1996  - Through the years, Rev. Billy Graham has returned to Charlotte many times to spread the Gospel. He draws 300,000 people to the new Ericsson stadium in the 4-day crusade that many worshipers fear may be Graham's last. Although his hands shake from Parkinson's disease, his voice and message are strong. Billy Graham

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1992 - Charlotte is a Hub

Six major airlines now serve Charlotte-Mecklenburg with flights to 146 cities. Half of the entire U.S. population can be reached within a one-hour plane ride from the area. Businesses have more opportunities than ever before to reach customers with goods and services.

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1997 - NFC West Champs

January 5, 1997 - The Carolina Panthers beat the Dallas Cowboys 29-6 in their division playoffs at the new Ericsson Stadium. They are now the NFC Western Division champs! Later this month, the Panthers will lose the conference championship game against the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsin's frigid cold. But fans will long remember the Panthers' stunning first season at Ericsson Stadium.

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1992 - African American Album

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. The result is this handsome book, edited by Elizabeth Randolph, that tells the story of Mecklenburg's black heritage. Library publishes An African-American Album

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1997 - One Man's Vision

March 6, 1997  - NationsBank executive Joe Martin has an idea. It's called Race Day, but it has nothing to do with cars. He urges all Charlotteans to have lunch once each week with a person of a different race. Although Martin struggles with Lou Gehrig's disease, he remains a passionate advocate for civil rights and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

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1993 - Catawba Nation

November, 1993 - President Bill Clinton signs legislation that expands the Catawba Indian reservation to 4,200 acres. The tribe that lived so closely with Charlotte's early settlers more than 200 years ago must now promise to drop its legal actions against private individuals who own disputed property. The Catawbas will receive $50 million in cash, and the right to purchase available land to expand their reservation.

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1992 - Magnet Schools

 March 31, 1992 - It's been more than 20 years since court-ordered busing integrated the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools. Now, the school board votes unanimously in favor of magnet schools, which will create special programs to attract students from different neighborhoods, races and economic backgrounds. Magnet schools offer added resources that help make integration voluntary. The school board votes to create magnet schools.

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1994 - USAir 1016 Crash

July 2, 1994 - As the busy July 4th weekend begins, travelers in Columbia, South Carolina, board US Air flight 1016. On the approach to Charlotte, something goes terribly wrong. The plane crashes in a residential neighborhood near the airport and 37 people are killed. An investigation will determine that unstable air, called wind shear, caused the DC-9 to crash.

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1992 - Night Racing

May 1992 - Light floods the Charlotte Motor Speedway and night racing begins. In the gripping race around the super-speedway track, the lead changes hands three times in the last lap. Driver Davey Allison is knocked unconscious, unaware until he wakes that he has won. Charlotte Speedway

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1990 - Changing Faces

The number of Asian residents in Charlotte has tripled in just the last 10 years. As the region's population becomes more diverse, the changes are reflected in the variety of ethnic stores, restaurants and shops that spring up.

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