From the Archives: It was ‘peace at last’ for Hank Aaron after breaking home run mark

On April 8, 1974, the Atlanta Braves’ Hank Aaron connects against the Dodgers in Atlanta for his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth’s record. ATLANTA — The marquee on the International Hotel, across the street from Atlanta Stadium, read: “Congratulations, Wilbur Moore... National Truck Driver of the Year.” The neon billboard in front of the stadium read: “Dogwood Festival... April 6-14.” Atlanta suddenly seems to have forgotten Henry Aaron, who less than 24 hours earlier had taken sole possession of baseball’s most celebrated by cracking his 715th home run amid the carnival atmosphere of the packed stadium. 1 / 13 Atlanta Braves’ Hank Aaron eyes the flight of the ball after hitting his 715th career homer in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta, Ga., in this April 8, 1974. 6 / 13 Atlanta Braves’ Hank Aaron watches the flight of the ball as he hits his 700th career home run in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Atlanta, Ga. 7 / 13 The newest addition to Hall of Fame, Hank Aaron, right, jokes with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda prior to an Oldtimers game at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Aug. 8, 1982. 11 / 13 Former home run record-holder and Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities during commencement for the class of 2011 at Princeton University, in Princeton, N.J., for making America a better place with his “imperishable example of grace under pressure.” 12 / 13 Hank Aaron applauds during a ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 715th home run before the start of a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets in Atlanta.