Little Rock, Arkansas

History

• 1722 - French explorer, Bernard de la Harpe, landed near a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River which he reputedly named La Petite Roche (the little rock). La Harpe built a trading post near the little rock. The Quapaw Indians resided nearby.
• 1812 - William Lewis, a fur trapper, built a home near the little rock.
• 1820 - Little Rock is surveyed.
• 1821 - Little Rock became the capital of the Arkansas Territory formed in 1819.
• 1831 - Little Rock is incorporated as a city.
• 1836 - Arkansas became the 25th state, and Little Rock became the capital.
• 1861 - Arkansas joins the Confederacy.
• 1863 - Union forces occupy Little Rock.
• 1874 - The Brooks-Baxter War takes place in Little Rock.
• 1911 - The State Capitol building is completed. It is the third building constructed to house the state government. The former two still exist.
• 1957 - The "Little Rock Nine" are finally enrolled at Little Rock's Central High School, after riots and the state milita hindered their first attempt at enrollment. Federal troops were dispatched to ensure their safety and enforce their right to attend school.
• 1992 - Bill Clinton, the first person from Arkansas to be elected President of the United States gives his acceptance speech from in front of the Old State House in downtown Little Rock.

Little Rock historically was involved with the American Civil Rights Movement, when Little Rock Central High School was racially integrated in September 1957.

Related Topics:
American Civil Rights Movement - Little Rock Central High School

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