Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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History Timeline

Discover Charlotte

On December 3, 1968, the City of Charlotte began a year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of its chartering by the colonial assembly of North Carolina. As part of that celebration, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a promotional film entitled "Discover Charlotte." The film featured the narration of CBS News correspondent and Charlotte native, Charles Kuralt, and music by local composer, Loonis McGlohon.

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Revolutionary War Veterans

In 1841, the Federal Government published A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services, giving the names, ages, and places of residence of persons entitled to pensions on the basis of their service in the Revolutionary War or other conflicts. The list included 22 names for Mecklenburg County. (Mecklenburg in 1841 still included the territory that in 1842 would become part of Union County.) The names are given below:

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1993 - Hornets in Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets have a great season and go the NBA playoff games. Devoted fans are overjoyed, especially for Tyrone Muggsy Bogues. At 5'3, he is the shortest player in the NBA.Muggsy Bogues

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1993 - NFL Comes to Charlotte

October 26, 1993 - The National Football League plans to create two new teams. Charlotte has promised to do whatever it takes to win an NFL franchise. Tonight, thousands of sports fans hold their breath. The announcement is made. Charlotte will be the home of the Carolina Panthers! NFL Celebration

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1968 - King Assassinated

April 4, 1968 - The Baptist minister who believes in non-violent protest has himself become a victim of violence. Inspirational leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is fatally shot in Memphis, Tennessee. More than 100,000 people attend King's funeral in Atlanta. A statue honoring him will be erected in Charlotte's Marshall Park, and dedicated on April 5, 1980. The nation will honor King's birthday as a national holiday observed the third Monday in January each year.

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1985 - Traffic Congestion

Charlotte-Mecklenburg's explosive growth is creating many challenges. Commuters traveling to and from work jam area roads. Highways can't handle the traffic in and out of the county. After many discussions and studies, $225 million is set aside, or allocated, to built a circular highway through the areas that surround the city. It will take more than 20 years to complete the Outerbelt.

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1990 - Lighting the Way

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. 

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1992 - 60 Stories

October 24, 1992  - NationsBank Corporate Center opens. At 60 stories the skyscraper is the South's tallest building, costing $150 million. Located on the Square in the heart of Charlotte, it has been designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli. The building commands its corner and displays in its lobby an impressive mural painted on plaster, called a fresco, by artist Ben Long. In 1998 the company merged again and became "Bank of America."

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1977 - Elvis in Charlotte

February 7, 1977 - Elvis Presley shakes, rattles and rolls his hips as he performs at Charlotte's coliseum. Presley's 1950s recordings that combined blues, gospel and country music made him one of the pioneers of rock and roll. But his indulgent lifestyle and poor health take their toll. He will be dead just six months later at age 42.

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