National Arkansas Day
National Arkansas Day:
Celebrated on 11th January the National Arkansas Day is observed to recognize the 25th state to join the union. Tagged as the ‘Natural State Of America, Arkansas like the other states in the US, has a long colonial history.
Year | Date | Day | Where |
2021 | 11th January | Monday | United States |
2022 | 11th January | Tuesday | United States |
2023 | 11th January | Wednesday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalArkansasDay
#ArkansasDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on January 11th:
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
National Step In The Puddle And Splash Your Friends Day
Why National National Arkansas Day:
Located in the South Central region of the United States, Arkansas is the 29th largest state with a population crossing 3 million. Little Rock, its capital is highly populated and is naturally the hub of business, culture and governing bodies. Laced by the Mississippi on its eastern borders, Arkansas boasts of numerous streams, lakes and rivers.
Quapaw, Osage and Caddo were the native tribes that populated the territory when the French and Spanish explorers first infiltrated the land. After the unsuccessful Spanish expedition led by Hernando de Soto in 1541, Henri de Tonti is credited with the establishment of the first European settlement in the area and the Arkansas Post in 1686. In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte sold the Arkansas territory to the United States in a treatise popularly known as the Louisiana purchase.
On June 15th,1863 Arkansas territory became part of the union and was recognized as a state. Arkansas withdrew from the alliance in 1861 during the civil war to join the Confederate States Of America, the rebel breakaway states that supported slavery. This was because the large cotton plantations of the delta were still heavily dependent on African American slave workers and many ardently believed in white supremacy. In 1868 Arkansas returned to the union after the confederate was dissolved.
The pronunciation of the state’s name became a topic of debate between two senators wherein one party favoured the ‘Arkansaw” pronunciation over ‘Arkansas’. In 1881 the issue was sorted out with the Concurrent resolution No 4, passed by the State General Assembly. According to the resolution the name was spelt ‘Arkansas’ but pronounced with a silent ‘S’, a clever move to appease the debaters!
Also known as the Quartz crystal capital of the world, Arkansas is home to the only diamond mine in the US. With a whopping 1 million acres of Ozark National Forest that covers more than half of the state and the Hot springs National Park, the state was nicknamed the natural state.
Once largely dependent on the plantation economy, Arkansas has diversified its economy and is now involved in service-based industries such as tourism, aircraft, steel, poultry etc along with its traditional commodities like cotton and rice. By its close association with the Mississippi, Arkansas holds the tales of the colonial era, the blues and jazz rhythms that was born along the deltas and a long history of civil war, the civil rights movements and power struggles among nations. Through wars, struggles and negotiations peace had finally arrived and this day reminds us to strive for peace and uphold humanity remembering the lessons from the past.
How Can We Observe National Arkansas Day:
Read Into The Past
The best way to celebrate this day is by digging deep into the history and culture of the land. The stories and history of the state will stretch your worldview and knowledge about world history.
A trip To The Natural State
You can visit the numerous National parks and historic sites in Arkansas such as the Hot Springs National Park or the Sultana disaster Museum.
Share On Social Media
You can share your posts, photos and celebrations on social platforms using the #NationalArkansasDay
Interesting Facts On National Arkansas Day:
Few Interesting Facts Related to National Arkansas Day
- The first Spanish explorer to set foot on Arkansas, Hernando de Soto tried to convince the natives that he was an immortal deity, the “Son of the Sun” to deter their rebellion against his men. After his death, his men tried to propagate the story that he had ascended into heaven
- Hot Springs was recognized for its unique qualities and signed legislation on April 20, 1832, declared the area to be reserved for the future.
- The capital shifted from the Arkansas post to the Little Rock in 1836.
- The nickname Natural State was given by the Arkansas Parks System in the 1980s. It became popular among the tourists and has been used widely.
History Of National Arkansas Day
National Arkansas is celebrated since the inclusion of the state to the union. The exact origin of the remains unknown.