Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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History Timeline

1991 - NationsBank Soars

July 22, 1991 - NationsBank is announced as a new institution, created by the joining, or merging, of Charlotte-based North Carolina National Bank and Atlanta's C&S Sovran. The new bank will be based in Charlotte and will be headed by powerful civic leader Hugh McColl, Jr. Hugh McColl, Jr. & Bennett Brown

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1974 - Airport Tragedy

September 11, 1974 - On approach to landing, Eastern Airlines flight 212 from Charleston, South Carolina, crashes into farmland three miles short of the runway at Charlotte-Douglas Airport. Most on board, 72 people, are killed. Only 10 people survive. Pilot error is blamed for the crash of the DC-9. It is not the last time such a tragedy will strike Charlotte. Rescuers at site of crash

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1987 - Habitat for Humanity

In July, President Jimmy Carter arrives in Charlotte. He and his team of volunteers are determined. They plan to construct 14 houses in five days for Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds affordable housing for low-income families around the world. The work is back-breaking, but when it is done, the Optimist Park neighborhood has an entire block of new homes. The attention the project draws to Charlotte inspires donors to contribute $1.5 million to build more houses.Jimmy Carter works on Habitat

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1996 - Panthers Prowl

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.

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1978 - The Sixth Mecklenburg County Courthouse

During the 1970's and 1980's, the area bordered by Third Street and East Trade Street became a center for government and court buildings . . . The Sixth Mecklenburg County Courthouse opened at 800 East Fourth Street, the first county courthouse to be located off of either Trade or Tryon Streets. - from Courthouses of Mecklenburg County, 1766-2007 (Mecklenburg County, 2007)

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1987 - Myrick defeats Gantt

November 4, 1987  - Democratic Mayor Harvey Gantt is defeated by Republican opponent Sue Myrick. He will run for the U.S. Senate in 1990 and 1996, but will be unable to beat the incumbent Senator, Jesse Helms. Mayor Gantt defeated by Sue Myrick

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1992 - Charlotte's Employers

In 1992, there were 11 employers in Mecklenburg County that had each hired 2,500 to 10,000 employees. They were: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Duke Power, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, City of Charlotte, First Union, Mecklenburg County, NationsBank, Presbyterian Health Services, U.S. Government, and Southern Bell. By providing jobs, these companies and agencies help keep the local economy strong.

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1969 - Mayor Belk

May 19, 1969  - Mayor John M. Belk takes office today, succeeding four-term mayor Stan Brookshire. Belk will continue many of Brookshire's programs, especially those that re-develop run-down sections of town. Both Belk and Brookshire will have highways named for them.

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1988 - Bearden Dies

March 12, 1988  - Famed artist Romare Bearden dies in New York City. Recently, the public library commissioned Bearden for an original collage from which a mosaic will be based. Nanette Bearden, the artist’s widow, selects one of his murals, Before Dawn and the project proceeds as planned. Before Dawn

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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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