B H This Day in Black History

April 8

← April 7 April 9 →
April 8, 1974

Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth's Home Run Record

On April 8, 1974, Henry "Hank" Aaron hit a home run off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking Babe Ruth's 39-year-old record. Aaron endured racist hate mail and death threats throughout his chase, requiring FBI protection.

sportscivil-rights
People: Hank Aaron
April 8, 1974

Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth's Record

On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite receiving death threats and racist hate mail throughout his pursuit of the record, Aaron persevered. He finished his career with 755 home runs.

sportscivil-rights
People: Hank Aaron
Sources
1. Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth's Home Run Record - National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum2. Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run - National Park Service

Share this moment in history

Share on X Facebook
Link copied!

You might also like

February 5, 1934
Hank Aaron Born
Baseball legend Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama.
baseballsportsrecords
March 6, 1857
Dred Scott v. Sandford Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not citizens and had no standing to sue in federal court.
civil-rightspoliticslegal
March 7, 1965
Bloody Sunday in Selma
Civil rights marchers were brutally attacked by state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, during a march for voting rights.
civil-rightspoliticsvoting-rights
January 1, 1863
Emancipation Proclamation Takes Effect
President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation took effect, declaring enslaved people in Confederate states to be free.
civil-rightspoliticsmilitary
Enjoy learning about Black history?
Subscribe for a new moment delivered to your inbox every day.
Unsubscribe anytime · No spam
Before you go...

Get a powerful moment in Black history delivered to your inbox every morning. Free, 30-second read.

Free · Unsubscribe anytime