Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

This Day in Arkansas History

May 19, 1904

J. H. McConico—an African-American educator, newspaper editor and publisher, businessman, national grand auditor for the Mosaic Templars of America, and a civil rights pioneer—married Mattie Keith. McConico’s business and civil rights leadership included membership in the National Negro Business League, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Arkansas Negro Democratic Association. McConico’s business career and philosophy were inextricably connected with Booker T. Washington’s National Negro Business League (NNBL). Like Washington, McConico made speeches and wrote essays exalting the league’s principles of racial uplift through a successful, but separate, black economy.

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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!

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