Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Plowed farm field with workers and houses in distance England to White woman with short hair in black lace top Crescent Dragonwagon
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

April 25, 1951

A Korean War battle took place near Tongmang-ni for which Charles Leon Gilliland, a member of Company I, Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division, was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. According to the medal citation, Gilliland displayed “conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty” during an enemy assault against Gilliland’s company. Gilliland’s body was never recovered, and he was declared dead in 1954. The Medal of Honor was presented to his family during a ceremony at the Pentagon.

Learn more about Charles Leon Gilliland Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Thomas Drew

Thomas S. Drew, a native of Tennessee who moved to Arkansas in 1817, was the first governor elected by a plurality of the vote instead of a majority, the first reelected to a second term, and the first to resign. Elected in 1844, he was awarded a second four-year term in 1848 but resigned due to a dispute concerning his salary. He later moved to Texas, where he died and was buried in 1879. However, in 1923, his remains were exhumed and reburied in Pocahontas (Randolph County), his former home.

 

Thomas S. Drew, a native of Tennessee who moved to Arkansas in 1817, was the first governor elected by a plurality of the vote instead of a majority, the first reelected to a second term, and the first to resign. Elected in 1844, he was awarded a second four-year term in 1848 but resigned due to a dispute concerning his salary. He later moved to Texas, where he died and was buried in 1879. However, in 1923, his remains were exhumed and reburied in Pocahontas (Randolph County), his former home.

Learn More

Trending Entries
Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming 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 Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Mixed group of people reflected as their younger selves in pool with multistory building behind them with text above that Little Rock Nine School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation "Kickapoo Indian Worm Killer" flyer showing a drawing of a man in a headdress holding a child Worms [Medical Condition], Traditional Remedies Pathology Close up small blooming flower with four buds fuzzy leaves held by grubby fingers Official State Flower Official State Symbols Canopy in park with benches under it and paved walking paths Westside School Shooting Criminal Activities Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock "Lonoke County Arkansas" hanging copper stele among others of the same kind Lynching Criminal Activities

New & Updated
Marshallese Ethnic Groups Old white man with mustache and beard in striped shirt and tie with arms crossed in front of him. Fay Jones Architects First lines of text "Another Steamboat Sunk. The steamer Curlew Curlew [Steamboat] Ships and Vessels, Water Headline "Guerrillas on the Arkansas River. The Streamer Curlew Fired Into The Notorious Guerrilla Tom Kenan Killed" Attack on the Steamboat Curlew Civil War Postcard featuring aerial view of a lake with trees and countryside Central Arkansas Water Looking across a lake to a distant shore and a small concrete structure Lake Winona Physical Geography "Saline County" map with borders roads cities national forest lakes Reform Saline "Lonoke County Arkansas" hanging copper stele among others of the same kind Lynching Criminal Activities Headline "Whitecaps' Bloody Work." first line of article "The house of Raymond Jones Raymond Jones Civil War to Gilded Age, Criminal Activities "Tragic death of a well connected young man on a Hunting Expedition" newspaper clipping Eagle Murders of 1873 Criminal Activities Portrait of white man in suit, tie, seated by curtain, table, and book United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Courts and Organizations, Law Enforcement Young white man with goggles in an airplane Paul Page Douglas Jr. Air, Individuals glass and steel skyscraper with "Stephens Inc." at the top Jackson Thomas Stephens Business Leaders, Golf white man in leather jacket and cap with binoculars around his neck John Dale Price Individuals African American man in cap standing next to airplane Cornelius Robinson Coffey Air James Albert Gaston Business Leaders

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