Important Arkansas historical events and significant anniversaries for September 20, with notable births and deaths of people with Arkansas connections for this date. Information is drawn from state archives, historical societies, contemporary newspapers and other media archives, and legal records. Much of this information comes from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, an online publication. ChatGPT has collected this data.
1862 — Civil War skirmishing at Helena. At daylight September 20, about fifty Confederate cavalrymen attacked a Union outpost near Helena. One Federal soldier was killed and two went missing. The harassment helped convince Union commanders not to advance toward Little Rock at that time.
1883 — Future governor George W. Donaghey married Louvenia Wallace. The couple married September 20 and settled in Conway, where Donaghey became an influential builder, education supporter and, eventually, governor of Arkansas…