1. In 1863, Union forces under General Benjamin Prentiss occupied Little Rock, Arkansas during the American Civil War. The occupation would serve as a strategic foothold for the Union army as they continued to push south.
2. On March 26, 1889, Arkansas became the first southern state to lower its voting age to 21, a move that was later adopted by several other states.
3. In 1910, a tornado struck Little Rock, killing 69 people and causing widespread damage. It remains one of the deadliest tornadoes in Arkansas history.
4. The infamous Arkansas School for the Deaf basketball team, known as the "Silent Knights," won their fourth consecutive national championship on March 26, 1949. The team was known for its exceptional communication and teamwork despite their deafness.
5. On March 26, 1979, a partial meltdown occurred at the Arkansas Nuclear One power plant in Russellville. While no injuries or deaths were reported, the incident sparked controversy over nuclear energy and safety standards in the United States.