Ed Jackson and Charles Pou

Carl Vinson Institute of Government

The University of Georgia

May 29

1721 South Carolina was formally rechartered as a royal colony. At the time, all of what would become Georgia was included within the southern limits of South Carolina.

1836 The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of New Echota.

1866 Gen. Winfield Scott, who had overall military responsibility for removing the Cherokees to the West on the Trail of Tears, died at age 79.

1886 The first advertisement for Coca- Cola appeared in the Atlanta Journal.

1910 African American track star and politician Ralph Metcalfe (also spelled Metcalf) was born in Atlanta. He would hold the world record in the 100- and 200-yard dash, win a bronze medal in the 1932 Olympics, and a gold and silver (finishing second to Jesse Owens in the 100-meter dash) at the 1936 Olympics. From 1971-78, Metcalfe served in Congress as a U.S. representative from Illinois. Prior to his death in 1978, he helped create the Congressional Black Caucus.

1913 Officials of the National Pencil Factory claimed that Jim Conley was the true murderer of Mary Phagan. Atlanta detectives said they believed Conley's story, though admitting it had changed several times and still had many inconsistencies. Click here for a detailed accounting of the case.

1969 Ruth Eiseman-Schier was convicted for her role in the Barbara Mackle kidnapping. She and Gary Steven Krist had buried Mackle in an underground box for 83 hours. After her family paid a $500,000 ransom, the kidnappers phoned the FBI with instructions on Mackle's location. [Click here to view the survival instructions buried with Mackle.]

1976 Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro gave up a home run to his brother -- Houston Astros pitcher Joe Niekro -- which helped the Astros to a 4-3 win over the Braves. This would prove Joe Niekro's only major league home run.

1994 The Atlanta Braves traded outfielder Deion Sanders to Cincinnati in return for outfielder Roberto Kelly and pitcher Roger Etheridge.

1995 Although official first day of issue ceremonies for a new POW-MIA stamp were held in Washington, D.C. special first day ceremonies were also held in Andersonville, Ga. [Click here to view the stamp and read more about why Andersonville was selected for a special first day of issue cancel.]
 
 

In Their Own Words on This Day. . .

1744 In his journal entry for this day, William Stephens recorded the desperate mood often brought upon the settlers in the struggling young colony:

"Proper Notice was taken of the Day by hoisting the Flag; but an unnecessary waste of powder in firing Cannon I thought might be saved. And in the Evening Mr . Bosomworth Read to us the Divine Service appointed by Law. The President and Assistants having been less frequent than usual in their Consultations, during a while past, thro want of matter to take in hand that was fit to advise on, I called them however again together this day; but to little purpose, for 'twas not for us to descant on such affairs relating to the Colony, as were above our understanding; nor to Assign the Cause of such Stagnation as with Grief we see coming upon us, Still hoping to hear better things."

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© Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

If you have a date related to Georgia history or people that ought to be included, or if know of entries that should be corrected, send a note to Ed Jackson or Charles Pou.

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