Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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History Timeline

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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1985 - Stopping the Presses

November 1, 1985 - Once the largest afternoon daily newspaper in the Carolinas, the Charlotte News ceases publication today. The last issue marks the end of a 97-year presence in the Queen City. Front page of the last Charlotte News

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1996 - Controversial Play

March 20, 1996  -Controversy erupts in Charlotte. Tony Kushner's award-winning play called Angels in America opens for a 10-day run. Charlotte Repertory Theater stages the performance. The play portrays sensitive subjects, such as the deadly disease called AIDS, and involves brief nudity on stage. Some people are offended and demand the play be stopped. It continues to the end, however, after a judge orders that it not be prevented from running.

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1969 - Fence Down

January 7, 1969  - A fence separates white Elmwood Cemetery from black Pinewood Cemetery. Black city councilman Fred Alexander wants the fence removed, but other council members have voted him down. Now, Mayor Stan Brookshire has cast the deciding vote in favor of the idea. The fence comes down. Fence removed at Elmwood cemetery

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1986 - African American Cultural Center opens

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. 

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1991 - Arts Alive

The Cultural Action Plan will help theater, dance, music and arts groups in Mecklenburg obtain funding. Part of the plan designates the Arts and Science Council as the agency that decides how much money each group will receive.The North Carolina Dance Theater

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