July 04, 1776

1776 The Second Continental Congress approveed the Declaration of Independence. The document, however, was only signed by John Hancock and Charles Thomson, president and secretary. Most other members signed the declaration on August 2 -- but because of the outbreak of hostilities, a few signed later.

July 04, 1864

1864 As Union forces advanced on Atlanta, Gen. Johnston continued to order Confederate forces to fall back towards the Chattahoochee River. There were various skirmishes, and southwest of Smyrna Gen. Veatch’s 4th Division of the 16th Corps engaged Confederates in the Battle of Ruff’s Mill. Sherman considered a frontal assault but determined that Confederate infantry and artillery would extract a heavy toll so instead he sent Union cavalry upstream and downstream to look for bridges and ferries across the Chattahoochee.

July 04, 1868

1868 The newly elected Georgia General Assembly held its first meeting under the new Constitution of 1868. Joining the 186 white members and 36 black legislators--the first in Georgia history. The legislative session convened in the Atlanta City Hall/Fulton County Courthouse, which Atlanta has offered as a temporary state capitol. (This building would be torn down 16 years later to make way for construction of Georgia’s current state capitol.) Newly elected legislators were given the oath of office and presiding officers for each house elected. However, a large crowd-- including many former slaves--had gathered on the grounds of the capitol to celebrate. Crowd noise and a brass band forced legislators to adjourn until Monday, July 6.

July 04, 1877

1877 Future lawyer and Georgia governor Clifford Walker was born in Monroe, Ga. Walker attended the University of Georgia, where he established The Georgian, a literary magazine. After graduation from the UGA law school, he was elected mayor of Monroe and circuit solicitor general. In 1915, Walker was elected state attorney general, serving until 1920, when he resigned to run for governor. He lost the election to Thomas Hardwick, but returned to defeat Hardwick in the 1922 gubernatorial race. Walker openly solicited Klan support, which led to his being exposed as a Klan member in 1924. Nevertheless, Georgia voters returned him to office for a second term. During his administrations, the auditing and revenue departments were created, as well as the State Forestry Commission. Walker entered private law practice in 1928 and founded the Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1933. From 1937-1952, Walker served as counsel for the Georgia Department of Labor. He died November 9, 1954.

July 04, 1889

1889 Georgia’s new state capitol was formally dedicated, with the Capitol Commission presenting the new domed building to Governor John B. Gordon. Commissioners have another present. Having been authorized $1,000,000 to build the capitol, they reported that construction came in under budget, so they returned $118.43 to the state treasury. The new capitol was so large that there was room for all three branches of state government, with empty rooms left over.

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July 04, 1911

1911 Georgian Ty Cobb went 0 for 4 at the plate ending a 40-game hitting streak.

July 04, 1959

1959 A new 49-star U.S. flag was raised across Georgia to mark Alaska’s joining the Union.

July 04, 1960

1960 A new 50-star U.S. flag flew today reflecting Congress’s granting of statehood to Hawaii.

July 04, 1976

1976 Across the state, Georgians celebrated the bicentennial of the United States with parades, festivals, and a variety of commemorations.

July 04, 1982

1982 Young Harris graduate Ronnie Milsap made the top of the country-and-record charts today with his hit, "Any Day Now."

July 04, 1989

1989 Georgia officials celebrated the centennial of the state capitol with a big birthday party, festivities, educational materials, souvenirs, and a special Postal Service cancel. WSB-TV diverted the route of its annual 4th of July parade so that it passed the front entrance of the state capitol.