What year did Georgia officially become a state?

Georgia officially became a state in 1788 when it ratified the United States Constitution. This ratification was a significant moment in American history, as it marked Georgia's formal entry into the Union as the fourth state. The year 1788 is notable because it was during this period that the new U.S. Constitution was being adopted by the original thirteen states, and Georgia's commitment to this new framework of government demonstrated its alignment with the principles that the Constitution represented.

Events leading up to this ratification included various political and social changes within Georgia itself, from its charter as a colony in 1733 to its eventual growth and readiness to join the federal structure. The other options refer to important, but distinctly different moments in history; for instance, 1776 is associated with the Declaration of Independence, 1790 is when the U.S. capital was established, and 1802 is linked to Georgia's land cession to the federal government. However, it is the year 1788 that signifies Georgia’s establishment as a state within the United States.