1. In 1909, Arkansas native Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born. Tharpe was a pioneering gospel singer and guitarist who influenced early rock and roll artists like Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

2. On April 26, 1937, the Arkansas State Capitol building was completed. Designed by architect George Mann and built over a span of 16 years, the building is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Little Rock.

3. In 1957, nine black students known as the Little Rock Nine were chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock. On April 26 of that year, the NAACP filed a petition with the U.S. District Court to prevent Governor Orval Faubus from using the Arkansas National Guard to block the students' entry.

4. On this day in 1984, Arkansas native and former President Bill Clinton signed a law officially designating "Arkansas Traveler" as the state song. The melody, which is based on a fiddle tune, has been associated with Arkansas since the 19th century.

5. In 2014, the town of Vilonia in Faulkner County was hit by a devastating tornado on April 26. The EF4 tornado caused widespread damage and claimed 16 lives in the area, underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness in the state.