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
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

October 31, 1917

Bruce Bennett was born in Helena (Phillips County). As attorney general of Arkansas, Bennett authored legislation to bypass federal desegregation orders, including acts “designed to harass” the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Later in his career, he became infamous for his part in the securities fraud scandal involving the Arkansas Loan and Thrift.

Learn more about Bruce Bennett Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Arkansas Bluebird of Happiness

In 1975, Leo Ward and his wife opened a studio in Washington County and began to establish themselves as locally respected artists. At the 1982 War Eagle Fair, they marketed one of their creations, called the “bluebird of happiness.” The bluebird became very popular; millions have been sold worldwide, with thousands of gift shops selling them in the United States alone. All glass and handcrafted, the signed birds come in a variety of colors, but blue is the most popular.

 

In 1975, Leo Ward and his wife opened a studio in Washington County and began to establish themselves as locally respected artists. At the 1982 War Eagle Fair, they marketed one of their creations, called the “bluebird of happiness.” The bluebird became very popular; millions have been sold worldwide, with thousands of gift shops selling them in the United States alone. All glass and handcrafted, the signed birds come in a variety of colors, but blue is the most popular.

Learn More

Trending Entries
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 Men women and children playing in field with cabin building and at base of tree covered mountain Pinnacle Mountain State Park State Parks 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 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 Book cover "My Life Bill Clinton" with portrait white man with graying hair smiling wool jacket collar upturned Bill Clinton Executive Branch, Governors white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock 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 White man wearing a fedora hat looking over a tree-lined river and bridge in the distance Norfork Dam and Lake Engineering, Water White man with glasses in white football uniform with red number 77 focusing on game in progress Brandon Burlsworth Football Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War elevated view of river bend around fields Petit Jean State Park State Parks

New & Updated
White man with gray hair in military uniform and flag behind him Donald Dalton Business Leaders, Individuals "Officer uses a pistol fatally" newspaper clipping Bagley-Ridgeway Feud Criminal Activities Young white woman smiling Chelsea Victoria Clinton Philanthropy statue of soldier with gun on top of "C.S.A." monument next to brick building on street corner White County Courthouse Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Book cover featuring silhouette of African American woman and flower Sugar Lacey Series Fiction Close up of several leaves one with a fingerprint in the center with a waterfall over mossy rocks in the background The Witness Fiction Older African-American man with glasses in suit and white collar Donnie Lee Lindsey Sr. Foodways, Religious Figures White man smiling in shirt and tie with American flag behind him Thomas Bryant Cotton Legislative Branch -- Representatives, Legislative Branch -- Senators Older African American woman smiling in red dress Mildred Barnes Griggs Educators and Administrators African-American woman with short hair smiling with her head resting in her hand Luenell Batson Actors and Filmmakers, Television and Streaming "Plans are being made to complete work on State Capitol" newspaper clipping Cass Gilbert Architects Single-story house with covered porch and walking path in front yard with trees Trapnall Hall Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Movie poster featuring various men with weapons Shelter Films Poster featuring a closeup of an African American man looking upward The Barber of Little Rock Films Smiling white woman in western clothing and hat holding an acoustic guitar Patsy Montana Country multistory brick building with central tower and grounds MacArthur Park Historic District Museums and Historic Sites

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.

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