Ed Jackson and Charly Pou

Carl Vinson Institute of Government

The University of Georgia

September 8

1565 Pedro Menendez de Avilles landed with a large contingent of Spanish soldiers and colonists on the shores of an island-protected harbor in what is today northern Florida. There, he established the settlement of St. Augustine, which in essence became Georgia's first capital. Of course, there was no Georgia then. Instead, all of current-day Georgia was part of the large Spanish claim known as La Florida, which included most of the Southeast.

1752 Officially, this day didn't exist in Georgia. For an explanation, see entry for Sept. 3.

1780 Georgia politician George M. Troup was born near McIntosh's Bluff, Georgia (which later became part of Alabama). After graduating from the College of New Jersey in 1797, Troup read law in Savannah, where he was admitted to the bar. In 1801, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives (1801-1803), and later served in the U.S. House from 1807 to 1815. Troup then served in the U.S. Senate (1816-1818) before returning to Georgia, where he was elected governor in 1823 and again in 1825, the year the General Assembly named a new county in his honor. He returned to the U.S. Senate in 1829, where he actively supported states rights and South Carolina's attempted nullification of the Tariff of 1828. In 1833, Troup resigned from elective office, although he followed Georgia politics for the rest of his life. Troup died in Montgomery County in 1856.

1807 African-American builder Horace King was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. Of mixed black, white, and Indian ancestry, King grew up as a slave and was brought by his owner, John Godwin, to the Columbus, Georgia, area in 1830. Godwin and King built the first bridge across the Chattahoochee River. King soon became noted for his ability to build bridges, and he constructed a number in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. In 1846, Godwin successfully petitioned the Alabama legislature to grant King his legal freedom. Thereafter, King not only built bridges but constructed courthouses and other buildings, including rebuilding of the Alabama State Capitol after it burned down. After the Civil War, King served in the Alabama House of Representatives (1869-1872) and in other public offices. He died in 1887 in LaGrange, Georgia.

1864 In Atlanta, Gen. Sherman received a letter from Confederate commander John B. Hood stating that he had no alternative but to cooperate in the removal of Atlanta citizens to Rough and Ready. Hood then added in his letter:

"And now sir, permit me to say that the unprecedented measure you propose transcends, in studied and ingenious cruelty, all acts ever before brought to my attention in the dark history of this war. In the name of God and humanity I protest, and believe you will find yourself wrong in thus expelling from their homes and firesides the wives and children of a brave people."

1883 The General Assembly appropriated $1,000,000 for construction of a new state capitol for Georgia.

1914 The Fulton County courthouse was formally dedicated. At the time, it was one of the largest and most expensive courthouses in the nation.

1938 Former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn was born in Perry, Georgia. After attending Georgia Tech for 3 years, he graduated from Emory with a B.A. (1960) and a law degree (1962). Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1969, Nunn resigned in 1972 to successfully campaign for the unexpired term of Sen. Richard Russell following his death. In the Senate, Nunn became widely respected by both parties as an expert in American security issues, and during the times of Democratic control of the Senate, he served as chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee. In 1996, Sen. Nunn decided not to run for reelection, and returned to Atlanta, Georgia to resume the practice of law.

1973 Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron set the record for most home runs hit a single major league (709).

1975 In an evening to forget, only 737 Braves fans showed for a game with the Houston Astros -- the smallest attendance in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. This turnout reflected a season that would end with the Braves 40 games out of first place, and a season average home game attendance of 7,324.

1976 In Atlanta, the State Board of Education began reviewing Department of Education's proposed budget for fiscal year beginning July 1,1977. This marked the first that a budget for Georgia's public schools would exceed one billion dollars in state spending.

1976 The Georgia World Congress Center opened. The huge convention exhibit and meeting area quickly made Atlanta one of the nation's major convention cities.

1985 Georgian Ty Cobb's record of 4,191 hits is tied by Cincinnati Red Pete Rose.

1986 University of Georgia Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker made his debut in the National Football League leading the Dallas Cowboys to a 31-28 win over the New York Giants. Previously, Walker was the anchor of the USFL New Jersey Generals before that league folded.

2006 Legendary University of Georgia and Georgia Southern football coach Erk Russell died of a stroke in Statesboro, Georgia.

2007 R&B performer Usher, Southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, songwriter Mylon LeFevre, jazz artist Freddy Cole and studio pioneer Babs Richardson were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Sept. 8:

1883 Graysville (Catoosa County)

In Their Own Words on This Day. . .

1739 William Stephens, the Trustees' secretary in Georgia, received some surprising news on this day. This entry also shows how slowly news was transmitted:

"Very sudden and unexpected News, of open war being declared with Spain, was brought us by a Sloop that arrived here this Day, with some provisions to sell, from Rhode-Island: the Master of which reported, that the Tartar Pink sailed out of England the 17th of June, by Order of the Government, being sent Express, to inform the Provinces in the Northern America of it . . .That he understood the Tartar Pink was designed to sail, with as little Loss of time as might be, from Boston, for Carolina and Georgia, with packets from the Government for those two Provinces. . . ."

Source: William Stephens, A Journal of the Proceeding in Georgia ([no city]: Readex Microprint Corporation, 1966), Vol. II, pp. 120-121.

1864 From Washington, D.C., Pres. Abraham Lincoln sent the following message to Sherman in Atlanta:

"The nation's thanks are tendered by the president to Major-General William T. Sherman and the gallant officers and men of his command before Atlanta, for the distinguished ability, courage and perseverance displayed in the campaign in Georgia, which, under Divine favor, has resulted in the capture of the City of Atlanta. The marches, battles and sieges, and other military operations that have signalized the campaign, must render it famous in the annals of war, and have entitled those who have participated therein to the applause and thanks of the nation."

Source: Franklin M. Garrett, Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1954), Vol. I, p. 641.

© 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 Charly Pou.

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