History

When European explorers in the 16th-18th century encountered the Caddo peoples in southwest Arkansas, they stumbled upon a stable, sophisticated community.

Arkansas is rife with ghost stories, haunted places and paranormal activity. One infamous abnormality is that of the Gurdon Light.

In 1962, Sam Walton created the first Walmart in the humble town of Rogers, Arkansas — a business move that would change the retail market forever.

One of the first Europeans to explore the Great Lakes, French explorer Henri de Tonti established the first European settlement in the lower Mississippi valley in 1686 called Poste de Arkansas, or Arkansas Post.

The “Bowie knife” became an iconic American weapon in the mid-19th century, but few realize Arkansas’ connection to its story.

A diamond is forever, especially in Arkansas.Few things are as romanticized as much as diamonds.

Happy Women’s History Month! March is a great month for lots of reasons — the sun starts shining more, we can enjoy patio dining again, but most importantly, we get to celebrate women and their contributions.

You’ve likely found yourself engaged in discussions about why it’s “ArkanSAW” instead of “ArKANSAS.

Despite its popularity today, Valentine’s Day has dark and negative origins.

In the rural town of Oark you’ll find the state’s oldest general store with original rustic charm and neighborly reputation.

December in Arkansas means holiday lights at the State Capitol.

Arkansas celebrated its first Thanksgiving in 1847, thanks to the tireless efforts of writer Sarah Josepha Hale.

Debates abound on whether or not cheese dip was actually “invented” in Arkansas, but regardless of its origin it plays an inarguable role in the state’s food culture.

You’ve likely found yourself engaged in discussions about why it’s “ArkanSAW” instead of “ArKANSAS.”

The status of sports remains iffy, and while we won’t be filling Razorback Stadium to full capacity this fall, we can always celebrate Tusk and his costumed counterpart, Big Red.

After the untimely passing of Sen. Thaddeus Caraway in 1931, Arkansas Gov. Harvey Parnell appointed Caraway’s widow, Hattie Wyatt Caraway, as his successor.

The first blues song I heard growing up on Atlanta college radio was “Cross Road Blues,” 1936, by genre progenitor Robert…

Before 1895, Dockery Plantation was, like much of the Delta at the time, a swampy tangle of gum and cypress…

The U.S. Civil Rights Trail stops in 15 states, few as chilling as Mississippi.  Just driving along the miles of Delta…

Just over 183 years have passed since Arkansas officially became the 25th state of the United States of America. In January of 1836, Arkansas residents held a constitutional convention with the goal of forming a constitution and state government.

On June 10, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Arkansas in conjunction with the Arkansas Centennial celebration (June 15 is actual statehood date).

After making history and integrating Central High School with other members of the Little Rock Nine in 1957, Ernest Gideon Green became the school’s first African-American graduate on May 27, 1958. Green’s family was joined by Martin Luther King Jr. to celebrate the historic moment.

On Saturday, May 18, 1963, amidst fanfare and fans of the arts, the Arkansas Arts Center officially opened its doors. The dedication featured remarks from U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, Rep. Wilbur Mills, Little Rock Mayor Byron Morse and Winthrop and Jeanette Rockefeller.

While this spring has brought its fair share of showers, they pale in comparison to the record rainfall 82 years ago. April 1927 saw unprecedented rainfall in Arkansas, with over 7 inches falling on Little Rock in just a few hours. As lakes, rivers and stream beds filled with water, all of the levees from Fort Smith to Little Rock began to fail.

April 5 marked the 96th anniversary of the burning of a historic building in Hot Springs. The famous Arlington Hotel, synonymous with the Spa City since its inception in 1875, suffered its demise after an employee saw smoke coming from an electrical panel.

National Women’s History Month was created to highlight the many unsung female figures in our nation’s history. Each of us has benefited from contributions made by women who have helped to build and protect America.

March 3 marks 131 years since the first issue of the Woman’s Chronicle was released. Led by editor Catherine Campbell Cuningham and assistant editors Mary Burt Brooks and Haryot Holt Calhoon, the Woman’s Chronicle was a weekly newspaper dedicated to women’s interests and the political issues of the time.

On Feb. 16, 1940, after three years of planning and construction, the Joseph Taylor Robinson Memorial Auditorium officially opened.

On this week in 1832, Mayor Matthew Cunningham presided over Little Rock’s first council meeting. Since there was no government hall, the meeting happened at his house, which was located somewhere on the block bordered by what is now Main, 3rd, Louisiana and 4th streets.

It was a football season to forget for the Arkansas Razorbacks under first-year coach Chad Morris, but where does it rank among some other disappointing years?