July 22, 1864

1864 After Confederate forces failed to break Union ranks in the Battle of Peachtree Creek, Hood had planned to take the battle to Union troops under Maj. Gen. James McPherson east of Atlanta on July 22. After an all-night march on the 21st, Hardee’s Corps were supposed to flank McPherson’s forces for a surprise rear assault while other Confederate forces simultaneously launched a frontal attack at dawn. However, Hardee’s march ran hours behind over unfamiliar ground. Moreover, his force split up. Gen. Walker and Gen. Bates subsequently get lost, but about noon arrived at their destination. Just as Walker lifted his binoculars to view the area ahead, a Union lookout’s musket ball killed the Georgia-born Confederate general instantly. By this time, McPherson’s army has repositioned itself and was ready when the Confederates finally launched the Battle of Atlanta.

As this Kurz and Allison lithograph depicts, the afternoon of July 22 witnessed heavy fighting to the east and southeast of downtown Atlanta. During the day, the outnumbered Confederates won some encounters, but by dusk the day belonged to the Federals. On this one day, 8,500 Confederates were killed or wounded, while Union casualties numbered 3,600 -- one of whom was Gen. McPherson and in whose name an Atlanta street and U.S. military installation would later be named.

July 22, 1868

1868 In the 32nd issue of its inaugural year, the Atlanta Constitution covered the story of the General Assembly’s July 21 ratification of the 14th Amendment. In an accompanying editorial, the Constitution noted its displeasure with the vote, noting: "Having uniformly and consistently opposed every measure of Radical reconstruction proposed for our acceptance, earnestly believing that they were detrimental to the best interests of the State, we have no congratulations to offer our readers on the accession of Georgia to the Union. . . ."

July 22, 1872

1872 Former Georgia governor George Crawford died in Richmond County, Ga.

July 22, 1902

Georgia cities and towns first incorporated by acts approved on July 22:
1902: Mansfield (Newton County)

July 22, 1924

Georgia cities and towns first incorporated by acts approved on July 22:

1924: Franklin Springs (Franklin County)

July 22, 1964

1964 This was "Georgia Day" at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. Among a full day of events, Gov. Carl Sanders participated in unveiling ceremonies for a plaque at the display of the famous Civil War locomotive "General." In response to questions from reporters, Gov. Sanders incorrectly predicted that Georgia would support Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 presidential election.

July 22, 1964

1964 In Atlanta, a three-judge federal court ordered Lester Maddox’s Pickrick Restaurant and the Heart of Atlanta Motel to serve black customers by virtue of the public accommodations provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The three-judge panel -- consisting of judges E.P. tuttle, L.R. Morgan, and F.A. Hooper -- gave attorneys for Maddox and the motel until Aug. 11 to appeal the ruling.

July 22, 1996

1996 This was the fourth day of the 1996 Summer Olympics -- and day 3 of Olympic competition.

July 22, 2001

2001 Though born in Flordia, former Georgia Tech golfing great David Duval won the 2001 British Open, with a 10-under-per score. His victory marked the first time for a Georgia-affiliated golfer to win the British Open since Bobby Jones.