Military

World War II was the most significant event of the 20th century, transforming the world and the lives of all who survived. 

In 1971, Betty Byrom and John Sanford’s interracial love faced Georgia’s outdated anti-miscegenation laws — despite their unconstitutionality. Refusing to back down, they enlisted the U.S. Justice Department, leading to legal intervention that helped force Georgia’s compliance with federal law. Their story reshaped state policy and redefined what love and courage could achieve.

On October 23, 2024, the US Navy announced that after twenty-five years, a ship commissioned the USS Atlanta will once again sail the seas of the world. The last USS Atlanta, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, was retired in 1999, the fifth such ship to bear the name of the city.

During times of combat, mutual dependence is crucial, as shown by the experiences of Joseph L. Galloway and Gerry F. Hutchinson. Their stories highlight the lasting effects of war and emphasize the duty to honor fallen soldiers

A potential donor’s offer of a WWII logbook opens Sue VerHoef’s recounting of U-505’s capture, vital to Allied code-breaking efforts. Janice Benario, a former WAVE, details her secret wartime translation work, revealing the profound impact of the Enigma machine’s seizure on the war’s outcome.

Albert Bolet recounts his harrowing experience during the Bay of Pigs Invasion, from being a political refugee to being trained for combat and captured. Decades later, settled in Atlanta, he reflects on the past with a blend of sadness and camaraderie, expressing a deep love for his native Cuba and his chosen American homeland.

Kenan Research Center collections document a wide range of historical themes and topics about the history of the Atlanta region.

Examine the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama and other historical artifacts in this virtual experience.

Investigate the causes of the American Civil War in this virtual experience.

A 30-minute documentary film produced by Atlanta History Center that explores the history of the monument from all angles, including the origin of the carving, the complicated relationships between the carving and contemporaneous historical events, and the key players who worked for its completion. The film is meant to inspire deeper learning and constructive conversations about this monument and what it represents to many different people.

Atlanta History Center records, preserves, and makes accessible the stories of men and women who did serve as well as the civilians who supported them. Their stories allow future generations to hear directly from those who lived through our nation’s conflicts to better appreciate the realities and the sacrifices of war.

Atlanta History Center is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive collections of Civil War memorabilia including a growing number of rare objects identified specifically with African American USCT soldiers and regiments such as a canteen, swords, a rifle, brass drum, knapsack, Bible, badges, a Medal of Honor, and a USCT flag.

Alvin Cullum York was a US solder who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Legion of Honor, and the Croix de Guerre for bravery during WWII.