This day in history: The Voting Rights Act transforms Atlanta, Georgia politics

Editor’s note: This article is part of We the People, a series marking the upcoming 250th birthday of the United States of America by Gray Media, Atlanta News First’s parent company.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - While President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on Aug. 6, its effects became immediately felt in Georgia by Aug. 13 as Atlanta civil rights leaders organized voter registration drives.

This marked a pivotal shift in local political participation for Black Georgians, helping reshape the state’s political landscape.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 also led to Atlanta electing its first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson, in 1973.

ALSO: On Aug. 13, the Atlanta Olympics hosted the Games’ soccer gold medal match. The final, played at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, showcased the region’s capacity to host major international sporting events and left a legacy of improved sports infrastructure and global visibility for Atlanta and the state.

Did you know?

• Atlanta is one of the few U.S. cities to have hosted both the Olympics and the Super Bowl.

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