1. In 1861, the Arkansas Secession Convention voted in favor of seceding from the United States and joining the Confederate States of America. This decision ultimately led to Arkansas being caught up in the Civil War for several years.

2. On January 21, 1957, the Little Rock Nine were turned away from entering Little Rock Central High School by Arkansas National Guard troops. This event marked a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement and signaled the beginning of the end of segregation in public schools.

3. The Arkansas State Capitol Building, located in Little Rock, was officially dedicated on January 21, 1915. The building's impressive dome, which stands at 230 feet, is modeled after the dome of the Taj Mahal.

4. On this day in 1888, the Arkansas Industrial University (now the University of Arkansas) held its first classes in Fayetteville. The school's original campus consisted of only one building but has since expanded to become one of the largest universities in the state.

5. In 1922, Oscar F. Stirm became the first licensed airplane pilot in the state of Arkansas. This accomplishment helped pave the way for the growth of the aviation industry in the state, including the establishment of Little Rock Air Force Base.