Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from "Turkey Caller and Gobler" diagram as designed by H.C. Gibson Henry C. Gibson to Turkey Trot Festival
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

November 23, 1996

Little Rock (Pulaski County) native musician Art Porter Jr. died in a boating accident in Thailand. He had just completed a performance at the Thailand International Golden Jubilee Jazz Festival commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s reign. Porter was an extremely talented musician proficient on saxophone, drums, and piano. He was an energetic, engaging entertainer and a creative composer whose work ranged across jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, and ballads. The son of legendary jazz musician Art Porter Sr., he released four albums through Polygram/Verve Records before his death.

Learn more about Art Porter Jr. Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Ouachita Dusky Salamander

The Ouachita dusky salamander (Desmognathus brimleyorum) reaches a length of three to five inches at maturity. This rare, mostly aquatic, nocturnal salamander inhabits the shorelines of creeks and small streams in the Ouachita Mountains in the state’s southwest counties, south of the Arkansas River.

 

The Ouachita dusky salamander (Desmognathus brimleyorum) reaches a length of three to five inches at maturity. This rare, mostly aquatic, nocturnal salamander inhabits the shorelines of creeks and small streams in the Ouachita Mountains in the state’s southwest counties, south of the Arkansas River.

Learn More
Trending Entries
Large rock with memorial plaque on it listing victims names and hometowns for each Negro Boys Industrial School Fire of 1959 School Desegregation Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War White man with stubbled beard sitting in backwards cap and jacket with his hands clasped under his chin Billy Bob Thornton Actors and Filmmakers The Clinton Chronicles busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski white man in embroidered black shirt and white woman in turtleneck and white jacket smiling in front of trees "Tony and Susan Alamo Tony Alamo sings Mister DJ" Tony Alamo Criminal Activities, Religious Figures Book cover "The Boys on the Tracks" showing a light at the end of railroad tracks The Boys on the Tracks Nonfiction White man wearing sunglasses walking with bag full of American one hundred dollar bills in front of white woman and airplane inside red background American Made Films Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns document "Arkansas Called The Wonder State Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 1923" Official State Nicknames Official State Symbols Tiny crustaceans found in caves Endemic Isopods Zoology white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock
New & Updated
White man at microphone with finger raised Act 401 of 1951 Laws and Court Cases Act 38 of 1971 Laws and Court Cases, State Organizations and Structures White woman in white-collared suit and glasses Act 346 of 2021 Laws and Court Cases, Malpractice, Women Interior of high ceilinged room with chairs and desks in rows beneath chandelier and stained-glass dome Act 343 of 1983 ...and April Fools' Day "Lucey's article widely endorsed" newspaper clipping Act 258 of 1909 Early Twentieth Century, Laws and Court Cases White man in suit and tie at lectern Act 250 of 2021 Laws and Court Cases Act 151 of 1859 European Exploration to Early Statehood, Laws and Court Cases Act 1220 of 2003 Laws and Court Cases, Public Health Act 115 of 1959 [Anti-NAACP Law] Laws and Court Cases, School Desegregation "Night Rider Bill Passed" newspaper clipping Act 112 of 1909 Laws and Court Cases African-American boy watching white protesters marching in distance Act 10 of 1958 [Affidavit Law] Laws and Court Cases, School Desegregation Road with grass and trees on both sides Acorn Polk Large blue metal building with "Acme Brick" logo and fence Acme Brick Company Businesses Book cover featuring a prison guard tower Accomplices to the Crime Nonfiction African-American woman with short hair smiling in silver dress Annie Mable McDaniel Abrams William Henry Abington Practitioners

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, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

New to Arkansas?
New to Arkansas?

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

See Overview