Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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History Timeline

1988 - NBA Arrives

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. Though the Hornets lose the game 133-93, loyal fans will break attendance records again and again. Hornets' Debut

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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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1989 - Hurricane Hugo

September 22, 1989  - Charlotte is caught unaware when Hurricane Hugo turns inland from the South Carolina coast and slams into the Queen City during the night. High winds uproot huge trees, tear the roofs off homes and knock down power lines across the region. It will take weeks to restore power and safety to some parts of town. 

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1980 - Spirit Square

The old First Baptist Church on Tryon Street is re-born as the Spirit Square Center for the Performing Arts. Although the first phase of renovations was begun in 1976, recent improvements have given the facility more classroom space, plus display halls, galleries and theaters.

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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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1949 - Television

July 15, 1949 - Charlotte's WBTV takes to the airwaves and becomes the first television station in the Carolinas. By 1967, there will be four other television stations: WSOC, WCCB, WTVI, and WCNC. 

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1974 - Citizens Pull Together

The school board has failed to devise an acceptable busing plan, but the Citizens' Advisory Group has their own ideas. These parents, educators and concerned citizens have met many times. They convince the skeptics that their strategy can work. Now, they present their plan to Judge McMillan. He accepts the plan.

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1959 - First Mall

October 28, 1959 - The first enclosed retail shopping center in the Carolinas opens. Charlottetown Mall will affect retail shopping patterns as it draws customers away from downtown. Although its name will change in later years to Midtown Square, the mall will operate continuously. 

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October 28, 1959

1941 - Fighter Pilots

April 21, 1941 - Morris Field is dedicated. New York City's Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia speaks at the ceremony. This facility which adjoins Charlotte's Douglas Airport, begins to train pilots and repairmen of the 29th Air Service Group as U.S. involvement in World War II approaches. Mecklenburg families extend hospitality to these servicemen, bringing them to church and home for meals. When the war is over, Morris Field is turned over to the city and made part of Charlotte's Douglas Airport. Morris Field Dedicated

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1950 - Korean Conflict

June 25, 1950 - At the end of World War II, Korea was divided in two. Now, Communist North Korea invades South Korea. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops help defend South Korea. Neither side will win the war. But after three years, a truce is declared although no peace treaty will be signed. Nearly 50 years later, U.S. troops will still patrol the border between North and South Korea.

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