Georgia Day will be celebrated on Thursday with a luncheon at noon in the Perry Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church Statesboro. 
The celebration is sponsored by the Archibald Bulloch Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and the public is invited.
Georgia Day is a holiday declared by the State of Georgia to commemorate the landing of Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe at Yamacraw Bluff in present-day Savannah on Feb. 12, 1773, with 114 colonists. Contrary to popular belief, there were no debtors in the group. Instead, they were carpenters, tailors, farmers, bakers, merchants and others with skills necessary for the colony’s success.
King George II had issued a charter for the establishment of the colony as a military buffer designed to protect the southern British colonies from the Spanish in Florida. Upon landing at Yamacraw Bluff, Gen. Oglethorpe met Yamacraw Indian Chief Tomochichi, whose friendship was crucial to the Georgia colony’s success.
This year, the Archibald Bulloch Chapter will host a presentation by Steve Burke, who will be assisted by Ruskin Powell. Burke is a noted speaker on the topic of early colonial and frontier life in Georgia. He is a re-enactor and survivalist.
In his presentation, he will display and explain historical artifacts and replicas of the period. He will appear in character as a colonial Georgia frontiersman. Burke has been welcomed as a speaker at historical organizations around the state.
Those who are interested in attending the Georgia Day luncheon may make reservations by calling Pat Long at (912) 764-5045. The cost is $25, and the deadline for reservations is Monday.