Olympic mascot designer John Ryan with an illustration of Izzy, the official mascot for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The amorphous, abstract figure carried the name "Izzy," derived from "Whatizit?" because no one seemed to know exactly what "Izzy" really was. The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print.

U.S. president Jimmy Carter (left) walks with his oldest son, Jack, on the site of the future Gordon County Grain Company in 1977. At the time of this photograph, Jack was a resident of Calhoun, located in Gordon County, where he practiced law. The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print.

As principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, John Ross struggled until 1838 against the removal of the Cherokees from the Southeast. Beginning in 1838, however, he was forced to lead the Cherokees through the tragic removal period, which culminated in the Trail of Tears. He remained principal chief until his death in 1866. ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLHOq56imZWjsLqvy6innpyZlnuwvsZomKusmZi5pr%2BOoaCsrJ%2Bnxm6t0Zyfmp2fobyoxY6jpqGmXae8tL%2BMam5yaF1mhXeCjqZkbWplaHw%3D

The rap musician Ludacris poses in 2003 outside the Def Jam South offices in Midtown Atlanta. Ludacris signed with Def Jam in 2000 and later that year released the album Back for the First Time, which contained his first national hit, "What's Your Fantasy?" The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print.

This magnolia tree, which once stood in centerfield of the Ponce de Leon Ballpark, is all that survives of the former home of the minor league Atlanta Crackers. Legendary professional players Babe Ruth and Eddie Mathews are the only two men ever to have hit home-run balls into the magnolia. Photograph courtesy of Chris Dobbs. The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print.