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This Day in Arkansas History

March 25, 1945

The USS Arkansas (BB-33) participated in the forty-six-day bombardment at Okinawa, where the crew had to fight off numerous kamikaze attacks. At the end of World War II, the Arkansas participated in Operation Magic Carpet, making repeated trips from Nakagusuku Bay and Hawaii carrying thousands of soldiers home to the mainland United States. The battleship was the third ship in the U.S. Navy to bear the state’s name, the prior vessels being a wooden-hulled steamer during the American Civil War, as well as an 1890s single-turret monitor that was renamed Ozark in 1909 and used as an instruction ship.

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William Furbush

William Hines Furbush, a native of Kentucky, made a brief visit to Helena (Phillips County) during the Civil War. After serving in the Forty-second Colored Infantry, he returned to Phillips County in about 1870. In 1872, he was elected to the Arkansas General Assembly, where he fought for civil rights, among other issues. He was instrumental in the establishment of Lee County and, upon its creation, was elected the county sheriff. He held the office until 1879, when he left the state for Colorado. He died in Marion, Indiana, in 1901 and is buried there.

 

William Hines Furbush, a native of Kentucky, made a brief visit to Helena (Phillips County) during the Civil War. After serving in the Forty-second Colored Infantry, he returned to Phillips County in about 1870. In 1872, he was elected to the Arkansas General Assembly, where he fought for civil rights, among other issues. He was instrumental in the establishment of Lee County and, upon its creation, was elected the county sheriff. He held the office until 1879, when he left the state for Colorado. He died in Marion, Indiana, in 1901 and is buried there.

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busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Brick sign in flower bed icon of water drop over skyscrapers text "Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority One Water One Future Clearwater Complex Administration Building Maintenance Facility" in front of iron fence trees and single story brick building in background Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority People and Organizations Single-story church building with central bell tower and arched windows Highfill Benton Older white woman in black shirt and long necklace speaking at lectern Margaret Jones Bolsterli Educators and Administrators, Nonfiction Political map of Arkansas with trail marked in green Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Land, Museums and Historic Sites Book cover featuring white people taunting an African American girl wearing sunglasses Turn Away Thy Son Nonfiction White woman in red dress playing acoustic guitar on stage Bonnie Montgomery Classical and Opera, Country Book cover young white girl with a rifle and horse with trees and mountains in the background "True Grit a Novel by Charles Portis" True Grit Fiction, Films intersection with stoplights hanging on wires and a few two story brick buildings Beebe White Several acres of fenced land with multiple buildings including large wooden barn small horse barn and two story building with long single story attachment Arkansas State Farm for Women Law Enforcement Frank Stanford Poetry Flooded area with trees and two pools as seen from above Climate Change Climatology, Environmental Issues and Controversies Natalie Suzanne Canerday Memorial with crucifix and Jesus figure over tile base with plaque and wrought iron detailed floral columns Tontitown Washington College campus buildings and grounds with town and countryside as seen from above Arkansas Tech University Four-Year: Colleges and Universities Book cover "My Life Bill Clinton" with portrait white man with graying hair smiling wool jacket collar upturned Bill Clinton Executive Branch, Governors

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.

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