This Day In History
June 15, 1836
Arkansas became the 25th state admitted to the Union, carved out of the Missouri Territory. With its rich natural resources—timber, fertile land, and later, oil—Arkansas was viewed as a land of opportunity for settlers. Yet, the state’s geography and demographics also ensured that it would be deeply tied to the institution of slavery, setting the stage for its role in the nation’s escalating sectional tensions.
During the Civil War, Arkansas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy, becoming a significant battleground for control of the Mississippi River. Post-war, Arkansas experienced a turbulent Reconstruction period marked by political instability, racial violence, and the slow march toward civil rights. Its journey from frontier state to a key player in regional politics reveals the broader challenges of American expansion and unity. |
