Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from three white women on float decorated with flowers with "Pea Ridge Heart of the Ozarks" on the side Arkansas Apple Festival to "Arkansas State Fair" arch sign over double gate with fence with single-story building and enclosed stadium in the background Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show
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This Day in Arkansas History

October 21, 1977

President Jimmy Carter nominated Elsijane Trimble Roy to be the first woman federal district court judge in the Eighth Circuit, as recommended by Senators Dale Bumpers and John L. McClellan, and the U.S. Senate confirmed her on November 1, 1977. Roy occupied the position for twenty-one years, taking senior status in 1989 and retiring in 1999. Roy was Arkansas’s first woman circuit judge, the first woman on the Arkansas Supreme Court, the first woman appointed to an Arkansas federal judgeship, the first woman federal judge in the Eighth Circuit, and the first Arkansas woman to follow her father as a federal judge.

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Eastern Collared Lizard

The eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is just one of thirteen species and subspecies of lizards that are known to inhabit Arkansas. It is the most colorful lizard native to Arkansas and can usually be found in exposed rock outcroppings in the Interior Highlands.

 

The eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is just one of thirteen species and subspecies of lizards that are known to inhabit Arkansas. It is the most colorful lizard native to Arkansas and can usually be found in exposed rock outcroppings in the Interior Highlands.

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Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War Wooden sign held up by posts near road text "The Village @ Pickles Gap Shop Eat Relax" above smaller sign illustration of shaggy dog text "Doc's Coffee and Creamery" Pickles Gap Faulkner Icon of cannon next to text "The Camden Expedition Route" above old photo group of men with rifles on horseback next to large map marking various events along trail during military conflict Camden Expedition Timeline Civil War busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century White men in suits one woman pose in horse drawn carriages by arched brick building Post-Reconstruction through the Gilded Age, 1875 through 1900 Time Period White man with glasses in white football uniform with red number 77 focusing on game in progress Brandon Burlsworth Football "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns "Arkansas County" map showing borders roads cities waterways wildlife areas One Horse Store Arkansas Fur covered creature standing in river with trees and sunset in the background Fouke Monster Folktales and Songs Headline "Christmas comes a little early this year" above illustration of parents labeled "Arkansas Voters" handing large present with text "Better Educational Opportunities" to two children labeled "Arkansas School Kids" all four smiling School Consolidation White man wearing a suit of armor with a sword European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802 Time Period

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Red crawfish in white man's hand Food and Foodways Foodways, Topical Service station with cars, water tower "Esso. Grand opening today" Lockesburg Sevier The "Preamble" page from the "Constitution of the Grand Agricultural Wheel of the State of Arkansas." Agricultural Wheel Agricultural Issues and Controversies, Labor Text "Maya Angelou I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" above illustration silhouette of bird flying upwards in front of sun to right text "Foreword by Oprah Winfrey" I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Fiction, Films Chickens in cages from egg to adult with advertisements for an electric hatchery device Agriculture Topical Multistory buildings with people on sidewalk and traffic light hanging above street Arkadelphia Clark airplane hangar labeled "Drake Field Fayetteville" with military airplane and helicopter Arkansas Air and Military Museum Air, Museums and Historic Sites three white women on float decorated with flowers with "Pea Ridge Heart of the Ozarks" on the side Arkansas Apple Festival Festivals and Events Multistory brick building and flagpole on grass Arkansas County Large stacks of white marble squares sitting in front of white marble building Arkansas Department of Health Organizations, State Organizations and Structures Female mussel shell Arkansas Fatmucket Zoology Older white man in hat and plaid shirt with younger white man in hat and green shirt in wetlands with map on car hood Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Hunting and Fishing, State Organizations and Structures Group of white men in suits posing outside a brick building with large sign "Gazette" at their feet Arkansas Gazette Businesses, Newspapers and Magazines Arkansas Married Woman’s Property Law Laws and Court Cases, Women Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission People and Organizations, State Organizations and Structures Steam powered ironclad boats attacking a fort Arkansas Post Arkansas, Desha

About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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New to Arkansas?

Our overview page covers everything you would want to know about our beautiful state, including state symbols, demographics, and more!

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