August 6, 1754

1754 King George II commissioned Capt. John Reynolds as "Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Province of Georgia, and Vice-Admiral of the same." A few days later, he sailed from England, arriving in Georgia on October 29.

August 6, 1779

1779 In Augusta, John Wereat was elected president of the Georgia patriot temporary government known as the Supreme Executive Council.

August 6, 1864

1864 Following Sherman’s orders, Maj. Gen. Schofield marched on Confederate Maj. Gen. Bates’ division at Utoy Creek southwest of Atlanta. The strategy was to advance through the Confederate lines and capture the railroad junction at East Point. At 10 am, the Battle of Utoy Creek began. Twice, Union Brig. Gen. Reilly’s brigade charged the Confederates, but on each occasion they were turned back. Schofield then called the battle off. Union casualties exceeded 300, while the Confederates losses were about 20. Though not a major battle, the Confederate victory convinced Sherman to abandon frontal attacks on Atlanta’s Confederate defenders.

August 6, 1903

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Aug. 6:

1903 Baconton (Mitchell County), Barney (Brooks County), and Nunez (Emanuel County)

August 6, 1904

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Aug. 6:

1904 Scott (Johnson County)

August 6, 1904

Other acts affecting Georgia cities and towns approved on Aug 6:

1904 Name of Harmony Grove (Jackson County) changed to Commerce

August 6, 1906

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Aug. 6:

1906 Cairo (Grady County)

August 6, 1907

1907 Gov. Hoke Smith signed an act instituting statewide prohibition in Georgia, effective Jan. 1, 1908. Some whites had unfairly blamed the 1906 Atlanta race riot on drinking by black residents, and supporters of prohibition used this argument to push for a statewide ban on the manufacture, sale, barter, or giving away of alcoholic beverages in Georgia. [In 1916, the General Assembly would extend prohibition to include the use or possession of alcoholic beverages.]

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August 6, 1908

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Aug. 6:

1908 Kingsland (Camden County)

August 6, 1909

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Aug. 6:

1909 Fry (Fannin County)

August 6, 1913

1913 During the ninth day of the trial of Leo Frank. Judge L.S. Roan ruled that testimony that Jim Conley had acted as a lookout for Leo Frank was admissible. Applause broke out in the courtroom; Frank’s attorneys immediately contended that any further such actions would be cause for a mistrial; Judge roan threatened to clear the courtroom if order was not maintained. Luther Rosser again questioned Jim Conley, again failing to break his story. Conley spent 16 hours total on the witness stand. Dr. Roy Harris, secretary of the State Board of Health who had had his testimony interrupted by illness, resumed his testimony. He insisted Mary Phagan was killed shortly after eating her last meal of cabbage and bread, and that she had died from strangulation, not from the blows to her head.

August 6, 1913

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Aug. 6:

1913 Meansville (Pike County)

August 6, 1914

1914 Ellen Louise Axson Wilson, wife of Pres. Woodrow Wilson, died. Four days later, a funeral train bearing her body passed through Atlanta on the way to Rome, where she was buried in the Axson family plot in Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

August 6, 1920

Georgia cities and towns incorporated by acts approved on Aug. 6:

1920 Stockbridge (Henry County)

August 6, 1924

Other acts affecting Georgia cities and towns approved on Aug 6:

1924 Name of Bullochville (Meriwether County) changed to Warm Springs, and the charter of Village of Warm Springs repealed.

August 6, 1965

1965 Martin Luther King Jr. was present at ceremonies in the White House as Pres. Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

August 6, 1968

1958 The caravan of seven covered wagons from Dahlonega bearing 43 ounces of gold to cover the state capitol dome arrived at the city limits of Atlanta. Unfortunately, city officials had overlooked the event, and no Atlanta representatives were there to greet the wagon train. After some phone calls, the director of Piedmont Park agreed to let them spend the night there. Atlanta police then escorted the wagon train to the park, where the riders camped out on the final night of their trip. City officials also hurried out to welcome the group.

August 6, 1972

1972 Hank Aaron hit his 661st home run in a Braves uniform, setting the Major League record for most home runs by a player for a single franchise.

August 6, 1984

1984 In ceremonies at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Atlanta Braves retired the number of knuckleball pitcher and future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro.