July 9, 1793

1793 Future Georgia governor and supreme court justice Charles J. McDonald was born in Charleston, S.C. His parents moved to Hancock County, Georgia, the year after his birth. Here, McDonald began a varied career that would include lawyer, prosecutor, judge, state militia general, state representative, state senator, governor (1839-43), wealthy planter, and finally supreme court justice (1855-59). As early as 1848, McDonald predicted that southern states would form a confederacy, and in 1850 he ran again for governor on a pro-secession platform. Ironically, he died four days before South Carolina seceded.

July 9, 1835

1835 William J. Northen was born in Jones County. He would become an educator, agricultural expert, state representative, state senator, governor, and Baptist leader. During his term as governor (1890-94), Northen stressed education and was successful in getting the school year extended, new schools created, an agricultural and mechanical school for blacks in Savannah, and a state normal school for training white teachers. He later became interested in history, writing (1907-1912) the 7-volume set, Men of Mark in Georgia, and becoming compiler of state records in 1911.

July 9, 1864

1864 During the night, retreating Confederate forces in Cobb County crossed over the Chattahoochee River into Fulton County near the Western & Atlantic railroad bridge several miles south of Paces Ferry. After crossing the river, they burned the bridge. Meanwhile, six miles upstream, Sherman’s 23rd Corps, having crossed the Chattahoochee the previous day, was now advancing southward.

July 9, 1906

1906 Gov. Joseph Terrell signed legislation on this day prohibiting public dance halls and commercial places of amusement in the unincorporated areas of any county in the state having a city with 8,000 or more residents without the consent of half of the voters within a two-mile radius of the proposed location of such dance hall or amusement place.

July 9, 1985

1985 University of Georgia Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, now playing professional football for the New Jersey Generals, was named MVP of the United States Football League.

July 9, 1986

1986 For the first time in 740 games, Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy does not play -- thus ending the longest consecutive games played by a Brave in franchise history.

July 9, 2002

2002 President George Bush awarded long-time Atlanta Brave outfielder Hank Aaron the Presidential Medal of Honor--the nation’s highest civilian honor--in recognition of his lifetime baseball accomplishments--including the major league record of 755 career homeruns--and his efforts to fight discrimination.