1. Arkansas achieved statehood on December 11, 1836, becoming the 25th state in the Union. The state had previously been part of the Territory of Arkansas, which was established in 1819.

2. On December 11, 1862, Union forces attacked Confederate troops stationed at Van Buren, Arkansas, in what is now known as the Battle of Van Buren. Despite being outnumbered, the Confederates were able to hold off the Union forces, and the battle ended in a stalemate.

3. In 1957, the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students, made history by defying segregationist policies and attempting to attend Little Rock Central High School. On December 11 of that year, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the state of Arkansas' appeal of a lower court ruling that had ordered the school to desegregate.

4. On December 11, 2000, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team defeated the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic, winning their first major bowl game since 1978. The Razorbacks were led by quarterback Clint Stoerner, who threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

5. December 11 is also celebrated as National Noodle Ring Day in the United States, and Arkansas has its own unique spin on the dish: the Ozark pudding, a sweet noodle dish made with ingredients like apples, sugar, and cream. The dessert has been a staple of Ozark cuisine for over a century, and can still be found on menus at local restaurants in the region.