Today in History for July 14, 2014

Winchester Memorial in East Brewton.

July 14, 1540 – The DeSoto Expedition reached the ancient Indian town of Tasqui on Choccolocco Creek, about nine miles from its junction with the Coosa River, in Talladega County.

July 14, 1864 - Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest suffered his biggest defeat when Union General Andrew J. Smith routed his force at the Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi.

July 14, 1881 - Sheriff Pat Garrett shot Henry McCarty, popularly known as Billy the Kid, to death at the Maxwell Ranch in New Mexico.

July 14, 1919 – Army Pvt. Charles F. McDonald of Monroeville “died from disease” during World War I.

July 14, 1968 – Atlanta Braves slugger Henry "Hank" Aaron hit the 500th home run of his career in a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, belting a three-run shot in the third inning off Giants’ pitcher Mike McCormick.

July 14, 2003 - The U.S. government finally admitted to the existence of "Area 51."

July 14, 2005 – Marine Corps Cpl. Christopher Winchester, who was born on Nov. 13, 1981, was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. A memorial marker was later placed at the baseball fields in East Brewton in his memory.