Growing up in Brazil, I received very general education on United States History. I had never learned anything specific about a particular location in America until I moved to Georgia one and a half years ago when, during a US History class, I was shocked to find out that the city of Atlanta was burned during a Civil War campaign in 1864.

Perhaps what evoked that reaction in me is what the city has become today. To me, it was unbelievable that this city that was destroyed one-hundred and fifty years ago could rebuild at such a fast rate, and even today continues to grow.

I first saw the Atlanta city motto, “resurgens,” when I began my studies at Georgia State. I remember passing by the police station near Five Points Station and seeing the Atlanta City Seal, with the motto stamped on it. It made me want to learn more. With this project, I hope to learn a bit more about Atlanta’s history, and why the city grows more and improves with every new day.