CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A century ago, Atlanta invested in aviation and opened what was then called “Candler field.” Today, it is known as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
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It celebrated its century mark with a time capsule. In 1926, the idea of an airport in Atlanta started on an abandoned racetrack.
Hartsfield-Jackson grew from a single grass-strip runway to being the world’s busiest airport in passenger volume over 10 decades.
What went in the ground symbolized 100 years of countless vacations, business trips and reunions. Also included were historical milestones like copies of the first piece of mail delivered here by plane.
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“I hope you inherit an airport that still connects people to opportunity and to one another, an airport that still reflects the ambition of Atlanta, an airport that your generation is proud to call its own,” said Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport general manager Ricky Smith during the ceremony.
The time capsule buried on the elevated part of Hartsfield-Jackson’s property will be opened in the year 2126.
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