1. In 1819, the Arkansas Territory was established by an act of the United States Congress. This laid the foundation for Arkansas to eventually become a state in 1836.

2. One of the most important events in Arkansas history occurred on May 3, 1957, when nine black students attempted to integrate Little Rock Central High School. The “Little Rock Nine” were met with violent resistance and had to be escorted by federal troops for their own safety.

3. On May 3, 1999, a devastating tornado outbreak occurred across Arkansas, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storms killed 14 people and caused over $100 million in damages.

4. On May 3, 1937, a tragic accident occurred when the hydrogen-filled airship known as the Hindenburg caught fire and crashed in New Jersey. Among the passengers and crew were several people from Little Rock, Arkansas.

5. In 2013, the city of Mayflower, Arkansas was struck by an oil spill after an ExxonMobil pipeline ruptured. This caused thousands of gallons of crude oil to spill into nearby waterways and led to a major environmental disaster. The incident happened on May 3rd, and the cleanup efforts continued for several months afterwards.