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5 days ago · Arkansas Historical Society declared the correct pronunciation of Arkansas as "AR-kin-saw," rooted in the original French pronunciation. The divergent pronunciations of Arkansas and Kansas stem from French renderings of similar tribal names, with Arkansas maintaining the French pronunciation.
- Dave Roos
Feb 7, 2014 · Arkansas was named for the French plural of a Native American tribe, while Kansas is the English spelling of a similar one. Since the letter "s" at the end of French words is usually silent, we...
- Christina Sterbenz
- The Final “S” In Arkansas Is Silent. Arkansas is a French transliteration of the word akansa, which was the name of the Quapaw people who, in the 13 century, inhabited the state we know today as Arkansas.
- Hot Springs Is Arkansas’s Oldest National Park. A historical Arkansas fact was before the state was settled in the early 1800s, the native tribes believed the hot springs had healing powers.
- Arkansas Has 5 Official State Animals. An interesting fact about Arkansas is that the state has five official state animals. Like most states in the United States, the land of opportunity chose these animals to represent and symbolize its prosperity and uniqueness.
- William Jefferson Clinton Was Born In Arkansas. In 1946, a traveling salesman and his wife gave birth to a baby boy in Hope, Arkansas, whom they called William Jefferson Clinton.
- The first European to reach Arkansas was explorer Hernando de Soto, in 1541.
- Arkansan Hattie Wyatt Caraway (1931–1945) was the first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States Senator.
- You could fit all of Greece and almost all of Puerto Rico into Arkansas.
- During the height of the AIDS pandemic in Arkansas, a lone woman single-handedly buried and held funerals for over 40 gay men when their own families wouldn't claim them.
- Arkansas Fun Facts
- Interesting Facts About Arkansas
- Funny Facts About Arkansas
- Weird Facts About Arkansas
- Cool Facts About Arkansas
- Historical Facts About Arkansas
- In Summary
Arkansas was the 25th state in the USA
Starting this list of fun Arkansas facts and history is the fact that it was the 25th state to join the Union. It became a state in June 1836. However, it had been the property of the US since well before then. It was purchased from the French in 1803 and became a territory in 1819.
William Jefferson Clinton was born here
When you hear the name William Jefferson Clinton, you might be a little confused. Perhaps that's because he was best known as President Bill Clinton. The 42nd president of the USA was born in Hope, Arkansas, in 1946. He served two consecutive terms as president after a long and successful political career. To this day, he's still considered one of the most popular presidents.
The Buffalo National River isn't dammed
Dams are used on many major rivers in the US to contain water. Dams help create reservoirs that are then used to generate electricity or prevent flooding. So, it's strange when a major river like the Buffalo National River doesn't have a dam. However, that's precisely the case. It was believed building a dam on the river would take too much away from its natural beauty and historic value.
Little Rock Central High School was important in desegregation
In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was propelled to national fame. Three years earlier, it was decided by law that schools needed to be desegregated so that all students could have the same educational opportunities. This law was put to the test when nine African-American students enrolled in high school in Little Rock. They were almost denied attendance. The state Governor attempted to use forceto keep the children from entering the school.
The civil rights movement changed state voting laws
Before the civil rights movement, many states in the South tried to limit voting rights by instituting a "poll tax." That meant that if you couldn't afford to pay a fee, you wouldn't be able to vote. This tax disproportionately affected African Americans in the South. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed, which meant states like Arkansas had to remove this poll tax so that everyone had the chance to vote.
The Arkansas River Valley divides the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains
The Arkansas River Valley divides two important natural terrains in Arkansas: the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains. This area is a popular place for visitors due to its proximity to both mountain ranges. The Arkansas River Valley also offers several attractions of its own. It is home to several vineyards and wineries, as well as popular mountaintop state parks and historical attractions.
There's a world championship duck calling contest
If you want to impress your friends with funny facts about Arkansas, don't forget to mention the World's Championship Duck Calling Contest held in the state. Since 1936, it's been a source of state pride. The contest is held every year in Stuttgart over Thanksgiving weekend. Preliminaries are held nationwide, so only the best duck callers compete in the final championship.
Arkansas used to have the USA's largest ostrich farm
Hot Springs, Arkansas, used to be known for a few things: its national park, scenery, and its ostrich farm. The largest farm for these large birds in the US was once within the city's limits. At its peak, over 300 ostriches were kept on the farm in the 1900s. Though the farm has been closed since 1953, its legacy still remains.
There was a "hangin' judge" during the "Wild West" era here
Fort Smith was the headquarters for Judge Isaac Parker in the late 1800s. However, his jurisdiction didn't just cover the city; it extended out to the neighboring territories as well. As a judge during the "Wild West" era, he saw a lot of lawlessness and became known for his strict sentencing. He earned the nickname the "hangin' judge" due to the number of criminals he sentenced to hanging.
The Dover Lights are unexplained
Fans of the unexplained love flocking to Dover, AR. The town has been subject to speculation for decades due to the mysterious lights that appear in the sky. Many legends about the lights have spread throughout the state. Some say they're the ghosts of lost coal miners. Others say it's gold that Spanish conquistadores never found. One thing is for sure: the lights remain a mystery to this day.
The biggest diamonds found in America were found here
One Arkansas history fact no local to the state wants the world to forget is that it was the spot where the largest American diamond was found. Named Uncle Sam, the diamond was an impressive 40.23 carats and was found in Crater of Diamonds State Park. Though the diamond was mostly clear, minerals in the ground during its formation caused it to have a pink hue. Unsurprisingly, this diamond caused a boom of hopeful miners in the area.
A contest decided the state flag
One of the interesting facts about Arkansas's history is that its state flag was decided by the people who lived there. In 1913, Arkansas still lacked an official state flag. To fix this problem, a contest was held. Sixty-five flag submissions were entered into the contest, which was then judged by a panel. The winning design came from Willie Hockerand was later approved by the state Senate.
The mockingbird is the state bird
Many people probably associate the mockingbird with Alabama due to its place in the classic "To Kill a Mockingbird." However, one of the interesting things about Arkansas is that it's actually the state bird. It's been a state symbol since 1929due to its helpfulness to farmers, and Arkansas shares the state bird with four other states.
There are over 600,000 acres of lakes in Arkansas
Minnesota might be the land of 10,000 lakes, but Arkansas has its fair share of them as well. Throughout the entire territory, lakes take up more than 600,000 acres. These lakes not only create a diverse landscape but also allow for local flora and fauna to thrive. The state's lakes also provide drinking water for the locals.
It's one of the most affordable states
One of the most useful and interesting facts about Arkansas is that it's one of the most affordable states to live in. This is likely due to its lack of major cities, which tend to raise prices. Different analyses have been conducted considering the different expenses that go into living costs in all 50 US states. Consistently, Arkansas has scored below the national averageas far as expenses are concerned.
There were four main groups of Native Americans in Arkansas
There are archeological signs that Native American tribes called the Arkansas area home since prehistoric times. However, these tribes changed over time. There were four main Native American groups that made their homes within the state's borders. The Caddos, Quapaws, and Osageshad always lived in the region, and some Cherokees settled in the state after being displaced from Georgia and Alabama.
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto discovered the area
Like most US states, Arkansas was discovered by a European explorer long before it became a state. The first European to explore the area in 1541, which would become known as Arkansas, was a Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto. However, he didn't actually claim or colonize the land. That didn't happen until over a century later.
It was a US territory before it was a state
One of the interesting Arkansas history facts is that Arkansas became a state in 1836, but the US owned it before then. Arkansas was part of the territory acquired by the US during the Louisiana Purchase. That meant that people could move and travel to the area without issues. However, it also meant that Arkansas didn't have rights or responsibilities. It didn't get a say in federal decisions until after Arkansas won its petitionfor statehood.
How many of the facts above did you already know, and how many were a complete surprise? One thing is clear: Arkansasmight be a humble state, but it's far from boring! It's got a unique history and culture that you won't find anywhere else in the South, let alone the entire United States. You know what else? 50 is a long list of facts, but it doesn...
Jul 7, 2023 · Arkansas (nicknamed: “the Natural State”, “ Land of Opportunity “) has 75 counties. The state’s capital is Little Rock. The postal abbreviation for Arkansas is AR. With these facts about Arkansas, let us learn more about its history, geography, people, economy and more.
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Dec 7, 2023 · Arkansas is one of the most breathtaking states in the US, full of rivers, forests, mountains, and more! But Arkansas is much more than just beautiful nature. Let me tell you some of the most fun facts about Arkansas. 1. Arkansas Is the 25th State to Join the US. Let’s start with some historical fun facts about Arkansas.
