Never mind that they just got slammed with record amounts of snowfall, this is National Arkansas Day.
As part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Arkansas become the 25th state in the US. Its capital is Little Rock, which is also home to the American Taekwondo Association National Headquarters.
In 1957, Arkansas became the first state below the Mason-Dixon line to integrate schools.
Photo by Samantha Beaty
Hot Springs National Park is listed as the 15th national park. However, President Andrew Jackson designated it as America’s first Federal Reservation in 1832, 40 years before Yellowstone was designated as the first national park. Home to many parks and water bodies, the Wonder State or Natural State is especially known for its hot springs.
Also known for its million-acre forest, quartz, and diamonds, Arkansas is home to the nation’s only public diamond mine.
Yes, you can dig for diamonds there. One lucky digger found this 2.38 carat gem.
Photo by Aaron Burden
The honeybee is the state insect, the apple blossom is the state flower, and the mockingbird is the official insignia.
Photo by Mick Haupt
With more than 3 million residents, it ranks as the 34th most populous state and is the 29th largest state.
The town of Alma is known as the Spinach capital, growing more than half of America’s spinach.
Arkansas is the USA’s largest producer of rice, growing more than 9 million pounds each year. Other major crops include apples, cotton, wheat, and soybeans.
Tyson Foods started here as a single food truck.
Photo by Sean Davis
And long before it had 10,500 stores worldwide, Walmart was founded here by Sam Walton in 1962.
Ernest Hemingway, one of the world’s most famous authors lived in Arkansas when he wrote “A Farewell to Arms.” John Grisham is also from Arkansas.
Johnny Cash was born here in 1932, and his boyhood home is now a small museum…
…as is the barbershop where Elvis Presley received his customary flat top after he enlisted in the Army in 1958 and was sent to Fort Chaffee.
Fun facts include that mispronouncing Arkansas is illegal, but there is no penalty. (The final “s” is silent.)
And, at just 98 feet long, the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade is hosted in Hot Springs. The mega-event is attended annually by famous actors, musical artists, and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
