July 6, 1742

1742 Spanish Gov. Manuel de Montiano landed his invasion force at the south end of St. Simons Island, where they occupied Fort St. Simons. They used the day to ready themselves for an attack on James Oglethorpe’s British regiment at Fort Frederica.

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July 6, 1864

1864 Union Gen. Kenner Garrard continued burning mills and factories in Roswell, including a woolen mill over which a French flag was hoisted. Garrard sent word of what he had found and destroyed at Roswell to Gen. Sherman, who told Garrard to stay put. On July 7, Sherman would send a second set of instructions that proved very controversial.

July 6, 1886

1886 Paul H. Hayne, often called the "poet laureate of the South," died in Grovetown, Georgia. Born in Charleston in 1830, he had his first poem published at age 14. Before age 20, his poetry had appeared in the Southern Literary Gazette and several other literary publications. Hayne became editor of several publications but is more known for his poems and literary columns. In 1865, he moved to Augusta, where he continued to gain fame throughout the South for his poetry. Hayne came to feel that Georgia was his adopted home, and in 1883 Hayne wrote the poem, "Georgia! My Second Mother!" to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Oglethorpe and the first colonists.

July 6, 1913

1913 Nine buildings, including three churches, were destroyed by a tornado in Waycross. Many other building and homes were damaged, but there were no casualties.

July 6, 1980

1980 Nine year old Anthony Carter disappeared while playing hide and seek with his cousin. His body was found the following day; he had been stabbed numerous times. He was the latest victim in the Atlanta Child Murders case.

July 6, 1986

1986 Atlanta Braves player Bob Horner hit four home runs in a single game against Montreal, becoming the third Brave in franchise history and the eleventh player in Major League history to do so. Horner also became the first player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a game and his team still loses.

July 6, 1994

1994 Heavy rains from tropical storm Alberto, which had stalled over south Georgia, caused extensive flooding along the Flint River. Other rivers and tributaries also reached their highest levels ever, and several southeastern Georgia counties were declared federal disaster areas.