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This Day in Arkansas History

March 17, 1904

Nationally recognized coin collector Matthew Herman (Matt) Rothert Sr. was born in Huntingburg, Indiana. While living in Camden (Ouachita County), he noticed that the motto “In God We Trust” was printed on coins but not on paper money. He wrote letters and gave speeches that resulted in Senator J. William Fulbright, along with several other senators and representatives from around the country, proposing a bill putting the motto “In God We Trust” on paper money.

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The Browns

Bonnie, Jim Ed, and Maxine Brown, better known as the popular 1950s and 1960s singing group the Browns, grew up near Pine Bluff (Jefferson County). Perhaps their biggest year was 1959, when their song “The Three Bells” reached No. 1 on both the country and pop charts. The trio performed together until growing families and other issues led to their breakup in 1967. Jim Ed went on to a fairly successful career as a solo artist and in a duo with Helen Cornelius. The trio occasionally re-forms for performances.

 

Bonnie, Jim Ed, and Maxine Brown, better known as the popular 1950s and 1960s singing group the Browns, grew up near Pine Bluff (Jefferson County). Perhaps their biggest year was 1959, when their song “The Three Bells” reached No. 1 on both the country and pop charts. The trio performed together until growing families and other issues led to their breakup in 1967. Jim Ed went on to a fairly successful career as a solo artist and in a duo with Helen Cornelius. The trio occasionally re-forms for performances.

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Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski white man in embroidered black shirt and white woman in turtleneck and white jacket smiling in front of trees "Tony and Susan Alamo Tony Alamo sings Mister DJ" Tony Alamo Criminal Activities, Religious Figures "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Trees and buildings painted on hog sculpture with brick building in the background Razorback Hogs Zoology Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal white man dressed as cowboy blowing into long, tubular musical instrument Bazooka [Musical Instrument] Large rock with memorial plaque on it listing victims names and hometowns for each Negro Boys Industrial School Fire of 1959 School Desegregation White man with stubbled beard sitting in backwards cap and jacket with his hands clasped under his chin Billy Bob Thornton Actors and Filmmakers "In memory of those killed December 1987 Pope County Arkansas" flat engraved marker on grass Ronald Gene Simmons Criminal Activities Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities Multistory red brick church building with steeple Seventh-Day Adventists Faiths and Denominations Angry white crowd surrounding young African-American girl sitting on bench with white woman talking to her Elizabeth Ann Eckford School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities
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Packing shed with awnings and wagon on farmland McCaskill Hempstead Harps Food Stores Inc. Businesses Stack of coins and coin pieces with thimble and metal pin Davidsonville Randolph Storefront and cafe building with couches on dirt road Watson Desha White women in uniform wearing bandanas pose with an American flag Women Topical, Women Large metal sculpture with two lamps Beacon of Peace and Hope Sculpture David Bazzel Football, Radio white man dressed as cowboy blowing into long, tubular musical instrument Bazooka [Musical Instrument] "Negro murderer burned at stake" newspaper clipping Glenco Bays Civil War to Gilded Age, Criminal Activities Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish near Bayou Meto Civil War Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish at Bayou Meto Civil War White man with dark hair beard and mustache in military uniform Action at Bayou Meto Civil War two men dressed for the outdoors holding shotguns and dead ducks in front of a row of old cars parked in a field Bayou Meto Physical Geography Map showing troop locations and movements Engagement at Bayou Fourche Civil War Sun shining through trees marshes along river bed in foreground Bayou Bartholomew Physical Geography Bay of Pigs Invasion Post Civil War

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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