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This Day in Arkansas History

March 10, 1903

Black leaders assembled at the First Baptist Church in Little Rock (Pulaski County) and demanded the halt of legislative efforts aimed at segregating streetcars. The Streetcar Segregation Act, adopted by the Arkansas legislature in 1903, had assigned African-American and white passengers to “separate but equal” sections of streetcars. Such protest meetings usually fell on deaf ears in the Arkansas General Assembly since no black lawmakers remained in the legislature after post-Reconstruction disfranchisement. However, boycotts were organized to carry the protest of such meetings to the streetcar companies themselves.

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World War I Soldiers

During World War I, more than 70,000 Arkansas men, both white and African American, entered military service. Despite efforts by white leaders to limit their role, black soldiers, such as these three men believed to be from Brinkley (Monroe County), served their segregated country.

 

During World War I, more than 70,000 Arkansas men, both white and African American, entered military service. Despite efforts by white leaders to limit their role, black soldiers, such as these three men believed to be from Brinkley (Monroe County), served their segregated country.

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Older white man short hair and beard wearing glasses suit and striped tie standing in front of microphone at lectern indoors looking on Tom W. Dillard Historians and Historic Organizations Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War 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 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 Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Book cover "My Life Bill Clinton" with portrait white man with graying hair smiling wool jacket collar upturned Bill Clinton Executive Branch, Governors African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Maya Angelou Poetry white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock White man with stubbled beard sitting in backwards cap and jacket with his hands clasped under his chin Billy Bob Thornton Actors and Filmmakers "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 "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities
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White man in suit speaking at a lectern with mixed group of men and women behind him LGBTQ+ Movement Political Movements, Sexual Orientation Postcard "We all want the freedom to make decisions that affect our lives" Initiatives and Referenda Laws and Court Cases one-story house with green and white metal awning over porch Lustron Houses Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Three-story building on street with trees and parking lot Arkansas Education Association Educational Organizations and Programs small waterfall in middle of dense green forest River Designations Environmental Issues and Controversies, Physical Geography Large rock with memorial plaque on it listing victims names and hometowns for each Negro Boys Industrial School Fire of 1959 School Desegregation airplane hangar labeled "Drake Field Fayetteville" with military airplane and helicopter Museums Educational Organizations and Programs, Museums and Historic Sites Old white man playing a fiddle on stage with old white woman and white guitarists Arkansas Folk Festival Festivals and Events, Folklife Projects and Folklorists Magazine cover featuring a city scene and a fisherman Batesville Daily Guard Businesses, Newspapers and Magazines Multitiered castle like monument with engraved top and base panels Batesville Confederate Monument Cemeteries and Memorials Expedition from Batesville after Freeman's Command Civil War Multistory brick buildings on street with parked cars lined up in front of them and people on street corner Batesville Independence Older African-American man in suit and tie speaking before two microphones with assorted people behind him Lucious Christopher Bates Editors and Publishers, World War II to Faubus Era Joseph Bates Practitioners White man in suit with long hair and sideburns James Woodson Bates Lawyers, Legislative Branch -- Representatives African-American woman wearing dark colored dress with double strain shell necklace Daisy Lee Gatson Bates School Segregation and Desegregation, World War II to Faubus Era

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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Our overview page covers everything you would want to know about our beautiful state, including state symbols, demographics and more!

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