Atlanta, Ga., May 11, 2016 – The Georgia Historical Society will unveil a new Georgia historical marker recognizing the birthplace of Coca-Cola on Monday, May 16, 2016. The historical marker will be erected on Marietta Street in Atlanta at the site of Jacobs’ Pharmacy, a popular soda fountain where the first glass of Coca-Cola was sold in 1886.
The Coca-Cola Company is an honoree of the Georgia Historical Society’s Business History Initiative, a program that teaches Georgia students, citizens, and tourists alike about the pivotal role of the state’s leading businesses in the economic, cultural, and social development of Georgia and the United States.
“The Georgia Historical Society is honored to commemorate the birthplace of Coca-Cola with a Georgia historical marker,” said Dr. Todd Groce, Georgia Historical Society President and CEO. “Honoring Coca-Cola as part of the Georgia Business History Initiative ensures that current and future generations will not only understand the importance of this intersection as the birthplace of one of the world’s most successful and recognizable brands, but also the importance of this iconic Georgia company as a key driver in our state’s development and growth for the past 130 years.”
Speakers at the event will include Coca-Cola Chairman & CEO Muhtar Kent, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and the Georgia Historical Society’s Dr. Todd Groce.
The historical marker dedication will take place as part of Coca-Cola’s 130th anniversary commemoration of the first serving of Coca-Cola. The free, public event will begin with the marker dedication on Marietta Street at 10:00 a.m. followed by festivities including Coca-Cola sampling and music in Woodruff Park until 2:00 p.m. Businesses and residents are encouraged to come out and enjoy the event.
Coca-Cola Historical Marker Dedication
10:00 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2016
12 Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
The historical marker reads:
Birthplace of Coca-Cola
The first glass of Coca-Cola was sold for five cents on May 8, 1886, at Jacobs’ Pharmacy, a popular Atlanta soda fountain that was located on this corner. Coca-Cola was created by Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton in his laboratory just a short walk from this location. Atlanta businessman Asa Candler began to purchase the rights to the formula for Coca-Cola in 1888 and founded The Coca-Cola Company in 1892 as a Georgia corporation to manufacture and advertise Coca-Cola across the country. Candler sold the company in 1919 for $25 million to a group of investors that included Ernest Woodruff. His son, Robert Woodruff, led Coca-Cola for more than half of the twentieth century, expanding Coca-Cola into a global business. Today Coca-Cola is the most widely recognized consumer product in the world.
Erected by the Georgia Historical Society and The Coca-Cola Company
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ABOUT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.
To learn more visit georgiahistory.com.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM
The Georgia Historical Society has administered Georgia’s historical marker program since 1998, erecting over 200 historical markers across Georgia on a wide variety of subjects. Now, online mapping tools allow you to design statewide driving routes based on historical markers, while mobile apps give information about markers nearby. Visit georgiahistory.com for more ways to use Georgia’s historical markers and experience history where it happened.