In the 1960s, Atlanta was dubbed “The City Too Busy To Hate”. The city was seen as relatively progressive in terms of racial integration. In a time when the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, Atlanta stood as a beacon of hope.
Atlanta in the ’60s was the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement. It was home to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a name synonymous with the fight for equality. The city streets echoed with peaceful protests, sit-ins, and rallies as people from all walks of life joined hands to march towards a better, more equal future.
Despite the social and political upheaval, Atlanta saw a boom in business during the 1960s. It became a hub for many large corporations like Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and Turner Broadcasting. The city skyline began to transform, and the seeds of a bustling metropolis were planted during this decade.
The city became became a hotbed for a variety of musical styles, from soul and blues to gospel and country. The city was buzzing with life, with music pouring out from concert halls, nightclubs, and record stores.
And let’s not forget the arts! Atlanta was a budding center for theatre and visual arts. The High Museum of Art, founded in 1905, saw significant growth in this period, becoming an important cultural landmark of the city.
While all this was happening, Atlanta was also making its mark in the world of sports. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, and the city built the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to welcome them. The Falcons, Atlanta’s NFL team, was also established in this decade.
The 1960s were undoubtedly a decade of transformation for Atlanta. It was a time of growth and change, of strife and progress. The city evolved socially, culturally, and economically, setting the stage for the thriving metropolis we know today.
Looking back, we can see the threads of history woven into the fabric of modern-day Atlanta. The echoes of the Civil Rights Movement still resonate in its streets. The music and culture continue to flourish. The businesses that started here continue to grow and impact the world. Below are some fascinating photos that show Atlanta in the 1960s.
