1) In 1819, William Woodruff published the first edition of the Arkansas Gazette, the state's first and oldest newspaper. The paper served as a voice for early settlers and played a crucial role in promoting statehood for Arkansas.

2) On January 5, 1863, Confederate forces under General Thomas Hindman clashed with Union troops at the Battle of Bayou Teche near St. Charles. Despite heavy casualties, the Confederates were able to hold off the Union advance.

3) In 1868, the Arkansas General Assembly approved the state's first free public school law, paving the way for increased education opportunities for all citizens.

4) On this day in 1921, the state government approved legislation establishing the Arkansas State Police. The new law enforcement agency was tasked with investigating and preventing crimes across the state.

5) In 1961, Arkansas native and civil rights activist Daisy Bates hosted a meeting at her home with a group of African American students who would later become known as the Little Rock Nine. These brave students would go on to integrate Central High School and help spark a national conversation about desegregation in public schools.