Saturday, January 11, 2020

January 11 - National Arkansas Day


Happy National Arkansas Day! Today we observe the 25th state to join the union back on June 15, 1836.

This southern U.S. state borders the Mississippi River. It's known for its abundant park and wilderness areas, with terrain encompassing mountains, caves, rivers and hot springs. 

The rugged Ozarks region in its northwest has hiking trails and limestone caves such as Blanchard Springs Caverns. Its capital, Little Rock, hosts the Clinton Presidential Center, housing Bill Clinton’s presidential archives.

Also nicknamed The Land of Opportunity, Arkansas is populated by Osage, Caddo, Quapaw tribes when French and Spanish explorers arrived in the area. Arkansas teems with streams, lakes, and rivers. Its eastern border is the Mississippi River. 

Little Rock may be its capital, but Arkansas is also known for big rocks and lots of rocks and minerals. It’s the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, has the only diamond mine in the United States., and the Magnet Cove region contains one hundred and two varieties of minerals.

Arkansas earns the name “Natural State” with over half the state is forested and more than one million acres in Ozark National Forest.  But that’s not all that contributes to the apt nickname.

Hot Springs National Park became America’s first national preserve in what later became the National Park System. When Arkansas was still a territory, officials recognized the unique qualities of the hot springs and requested the area be set aside and protected. 

On April 20, 1832, 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson signed legislation, designating four sections of land which included the hot springs and adjacent mountains “…reserved for the future disposal of the United States (which) shall not be entered, located, or appropriated, for any other purpose whatsoever.”

"I love Fayetteville. I love hills and vistas and hard working people and fighting snow in winter and chiggers in the summer." ~Ellen Gilchrist

What’s in a Name 

When Arkansas first became a state in 1836, how to pronounce the name of the 25th state was up for debate. Was it Arkan-saw or Ar-kansas? The issue was settled in 1881 when the State General Assembly passed Concurrent Resolution No.4. It stated the state’s name would be pronounced Arkan-saw and spelled Arkansas.

Many who have called Arkansas home have left marks on our hearts and minds. From the legendary Johnny Cash and talented composers, Scott Joplin, and Roberta Martin, to authors Ernest Hemmingway and Maya Angelou and many more found a home at some time in Arkansas.

Nestled along the Mississippi River, Arkansas swells with delta, Civil War era, the blues and jazz, and Western migration history.  The worst maritime disaster in United States history occurred on the Mississippi River just north of Marion, Arkansas. 

Greater than the British passenger liner RMS Titanic disaster, the Mississippi River side-wheel steamboat Sultana exploded and sank on April 27, 1865, just weeks after the end of the Civil War and the assassination of 16th U.S. President Lincoln. It is estimated that over 1,800 souls perished.

For a complete list of Missouri State and National Parks and historic sites, please visit the websites below. 

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com 
https://www.nps.gov

Buffalo – Harrison and St. Joe

Pea Ridge     

Lake Frierson State Park – Jonesboro 

Mammoth Spring State Park – Mammoth Spring 

Mount Nebo State Park – Dardanelle 

Be sure to check out a few of the featured sites around the state below as well. 

𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐌𝐒 

Sultana Disaster Museum – Marion 

Historic Arkansas Museum – Little Rock 

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art – Bentonville 

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum – Pulaski County 

Delta Cultural Center – Helena 

Gangster Museum of America– Hot Springs 

Arkansas Air & Military Museum – Fayetteville 

Delta Gateway Museum – Blytheville 

  
HOW TO OBSERVE 

Join National Day Calendar® as they recognize Arkansas’ natural beauty and fascinating history. Uncover hidden treasures and soak up all of Arkansas’ impressive views! Use #NationalArkansasDay to share on social media. 

Hidden Treasures 

Esse Purse Museum – Little Rock 

Quigley’s Castle – Eureka Springs 

Chaffee Barbershop Museum– Fort Smith 

Tripoints – Arkansas/Missouri/Oklahoma 
  
We also observe these famous figures born in Missouri of whom are still recognized today for their past accomplishments, heroics, talents, ingenuity and innovations: John Hanks Alexander, Douglas MacArthur, Louise Thaden, Bear Bryant, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, John Harold Johnson, Maurice Britt, Samuel Kountz, Johnny Cash, Joycelyn Elders and Bill Clinton.

Visit the link below to see those of notable birth who were not mentioned on the list above. 


Here's to The Natural State! 

#NationalArkansasDay 
@nichecinema 
  

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