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This Day in Arkansas History

April 29, 1942

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt praised Rear Admiral Corydon Wassell in one of his fireside chats, saying that he was “almost like a Christlike shepherd devoted to his flock.” Dr. Wassell, who was from Little Rock (Pulaski County), was one of the first national heroes of World War II. He distinguished himself and was awarded the Navy Cross for his determined faithfulness to the care of wounded men in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia), electing to remain there with servicemen who were not ambulatory rather than being redeployed with those who were being evacuated from the scene.

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Craighead County Courthouse

Craighead County is one of a handful of counties in the state to have two county seats; they are Jonesboro and Lake City. The second county seat, Lake City, was created by legislative action in 1883. Approximately eighteen years later in 1901, the courthouse shown in this photo was constructed. The building continues to serve the residents of that part of the county.

 

Craighead County is one of a handful of counties in the state to have two county seats; they are Jonesboro and Lake City. The second county seat, Lake City, was created by legislative action in 1883. Approximately eighteen years later in 1901, the courthouse shown in this photo was constructed. The building continues to serve the residents of that part of the county.

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Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War 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 Mixed group of people reflected as their younger selves in pool with multistory building behind them with text above that Little Rock Nine School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview Two white men in suits and ties conversing Paul A. Taylor Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Tornado Outbreak of 2025 Climatology, Natural Disasters Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Close up small blooming flower with four buds fuzzy leaves held by grubby fingers Official State Flower Official State Symbols Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War White women and men with damaged buildings behind them, photograph labeled "Brinkley Cyclone" Tornadoes Climatology, Natural Disasters Canopy in park with benches under it and paved walking paths Westside School Shooting Criminal Activities "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns

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Cherokee man standing in hat and suit Indian Soldiers Crowd of Asian-American children stand in rows holding hands over head in field near housing units. Jerome Relocation Center Projects Two white men in suits and ties conversing Paul A. Taylor "Death of Gen. D. P. Upham" newspaper clipping Daniel Phillips Upham Individuals, Woodruff Leaders Chinese family including girl standing to far left next to four people sitting on wooden chairs in row man holding young girl woman holding infant a teenage boy and a younger boy two other children one boy and one girl seated cross legged on ground in front Chinese Ethnic Groups White man speaking at lectern in graduation robes Shane Broadway Wooden electric chair with leather straps on display Penal Systems Law Enforcement White woman scientist in blouse, lab coat handles white mouse with white male assistant watching Margaret Pittman Microbiology White man with brown hair in suit jacket and bow tie Jeff Davis Governors Little Rock Scripture Study Institutions and Buildings White man in suit holding his cowboy hat leaning against a rock with sky and valley behind him Winrock International Philanthropy White man with red and yellow bow tie Dodson v. Arkansas Activities Association Basketball, Laws and Court Cases long four-story brick building with small tower and many large windows, cars parked in parallel in front of it Museum of Discovery Attractions (Historic and Current), Museums and Historic Sites art deco illustration of African American woman dancing while band plays in foreground, "Halleluja" Hallelujah Films Group of young white men in suits outside building with arched doorway and arched windows Buckner College Defunct: Colleges and Universities small waterfall in middle of dense green forest Waterfalls Physical Geography

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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