50 Years of 50 States: Arkansas
Nickname: The Natural State
Date Ratified: June 15, 1836 (25th)
Capital: Little Rock
[caption id="attachment_1820" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Arkansas"]
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- Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas
- Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas.
- The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest national forest in the South.
- The Arkansas River is the longest river to flow into the Mississippi-Missouri river system.
- Atheists in Arkansas are disqualified from holding public office or testifying as a witness. Article 19, Item 1 of the state constitution states:
"No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any Court."
- The state flag of Arkansas was originally adopted in 1913. The diamond on the flag represents Arkansas being the only diamond producing state at the time. The 25 white stars on the flag represent Arkansas' position as the 25th state. The 3 blue stars below 'Arkansas' have varying meanings: 3 nations ruled Arkansas (Spain, France, and the U.S.), Arkansas was a part of the Louisiana Purchase that was signed in 1803, and Arkansas was the 3rd state formed from the Louisiana Purchase. Finally, the 4th blue star was added in 1923, and represents the Confederacy; the 4th country to have ruled Arkansas. [caption id="attachment_1821" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Flag of Arkansas"]
