1. Arkansas became the 25th state in the Union on December 12, 1836. After being part of the Louisiana Purchase, Arkansas became a territory in 1819 before finally achieving statehood.

2. On December 12, 1874, the Brooks-Baxter War began in Little Rock, Arkansas. This violent political conflict saw two factions vying for control of the state government, ending with Governor Elisha Baxter coming out on top.

3. The Arkansas Razorbacks football team played in their first-ever bowl game on December 12, 1936. The Hogs defeated the Centenary Gentlemen 14-7 in the Cotton Bowl, signaling the start of a successful football program.

4. On December 12, 1980, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette was first published, becoming the largest newspaper in the state. The paper has won numerous Pulitzer Prizes and continues to be an important source of news for Arkansans.

5. In 2013, the Benton County Courthouse, built in 1928, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 12. This courthouse is an excellent example of Art Deco architecture and has been well-preserved over the years.