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This Day in Arkansas History

June 14, 1912

Sid McMath, Arkansas’s thirty-fourth governor, was born in Columbia County. McMath launched his political career after he returned home from World War II, having served in the Pacific. In 1946, he and other recently returned veterans in Hot Springs (Garland County) launched the “GI Revolt,” taking on Mayor Leo McLaughlin’s corrupt political regime. He was a close political friend to President Harry Truman and a dedicated foe of the Dixiecrat movement that tried to control the Democratic Party in the South in the 1948 presidential campaign. He was elected governor at age thirty-six in 1948, the youngest person to serve in that position in Arkansas since the Civil War.

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Ira Sanders

Ira Sanders was one of the best-known and respected rabbis in the history of the state. Ordained in 1919, he moved to Little Rock (Pulaski County) in 1926 at age thirty-two to lead the state’s largest Reform Jewish congregation, B’nai Israel. During his approximately thirty-seven years of service, he was recognized as a leader in the fields of social work and civil rights. Rabbi Sanders retired in 1963 and served as rabbi emeritus until his death in 1985. He is the only rabbi interred in Little Rock’s Oakland Jewish Cemetery.

 

Ira Sanders was one of the best-known and respected rabbis in the history of the state. Ordained in 1919, he moved to Little Rock (Pulaski County) in 1926 at age thirty-two to lead the state’s largest Reform Jewish congregation, B’nai Israel. During his approximately thirty-seven years of service, he was recognized as a leader in the fields of social work and civil rights. Rabbi Sanders retired in 1963 and served as rabbi emeritus until his death in 1985. He is the only rabbi interred in Little Rock’s Oakland Jewish Cemetery.

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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, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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