What is Stone Mountain and what is its significance?

Stone Mountain is a large granite mountain in Georgia. It is famous for its carving of Confederate leaders, including Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. The carving is the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world.

Stone Mountain is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, about 20 miles northeast of Atlanta. It is a popular tourist destination, and the park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, camping, and fishing.

Stone Mountain has a long and complex history. It was originally inhabited by the Cherokee people, who called it "Etowah." The mountain was later used by the Creek people, and it was a site of religious and cultural importance.

In the 1800s, Stone Mountain became a popular gathering place for the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan held rallies and cross burnings on the mountain, and it became a symbol of white supremacy.

In the 1960s, the civil rights movement began to challenge the Klan's use of Stone Mountain. In 1965, the state of Georgia purchased the mountain and began work on the carving of the Confederate leaders. The carving was completed in 1972.

The carving of the Confederate leaders has been controversial since its completion. Some people believe that it is a symbol of racism and hate, while others believe that it is a part of Georgia's history and should be preserved.

In recent years, there have been calls to add a carving of Martin Luther King, Jr., to Stone Mountain. King was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and he is one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. Some people believe that adding a carving of King to Stone Mountain would help to heal the wounds of the past and promote racial reconciliation.

The future of Stone Mountain is uncertain. The mountain is a symbol of both division and unity, and it is a place where people can learn about the history of the American South.