Photo Feature: Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run
By Ashley Sankey, Digital Storytelling Contributor
Fifty years ago on April 8, 1974, spectators marveled as Henry Louis Aaron, also known as Hank Aaron, hit his record-breaking 715th home run, a historic feat for baseball and Atlanta.
The excitement about Aaron's record-breaking quest was high before the Atlanta Braves set foot in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium for the 1974 home opener. A year earlier, he had hit 710 home runs, just four shy of matching baseball legend Babe Ruth’s record of 714.
After three away games in Cincinnati, Aaron stepped up to the plate level with “The Great Bambino.” He prepared for a swing that would connect and etch an unforgettable moment in the history of Black baseball players across the United States.
In an instant, Aaron connected with the ball and watched it soar past the left-center field and over the fence. He headed towards first base.
As he neared each base, Aaron gained momentum and enthusiasm. The thrill of the feat proved too much for some fans. Two teenagers ran onto the field to cheer him on.
When Aaron reached home, fireworks and cheers erupted throughout the stadium. It was a joyous occasion celebrated and commemorated with his teammates, his parents, Estella and Herbert Aaron, and his wife, Billye.
America’s favorite pastime was transformed that night on April 8, 1974, in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. A Black man breaking a white baseball player’s record in the “Deep South” was phenomenal. This accomplishment allowed Aaron to uplift Black baseball players across the country, pay homage to those who came before him, and advocate for equal opportunities in the National League, initiatives he upheld throughout the rest of his life.
Explore Album for more photographs of Hank Aaron’s outstanding career, and visit Atlanta History Center’s upcoming exhibition More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron to delve into his legacy through historical images and artifacts.
