 About 300,000 people came out in Atlanta for the film's premiere at the Loew's Grand Theatre on December 15, 1939.It was the climax of three days of festivities hosted by Mayor William B. Hartsfield, which included a parade of limousines featuring stars from the film, receptions, thousands of Confederate flags, and a costume ball.Eurith D. Rivers, the governor of Georgia, declared December 15 a state holiday.