March 2, 1793

Sam Houston was born in Timber Ridge Plantation in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Among other accomplishments and activities, Houston lived in Arkansas Territory among the Cherokee, served as an Indian subagent, and helped many groups of Native Americans resettle in Arkansas and present-day Oklahoma. His wide-ranging activities included being governor of Tennessee, president of the Republic of Texas and, later, governor of the state of Texas. Some historians argue that Houston’s basic attitudes were formulated during his time in Arkansas Territory.