Important Arkansas historical events and significant anniversaries for May 2, 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. ChatGPH has collected this data.
On May 2, 1863, in the Civil War, Union troops reached the St. Francis crossing at Chalk Bluff, only to find Confederate General John S. Marmaduke’s force had escaped into Arkansas.
On May 2, 2000, Christina Maria Riggs was executed by lethal injection on May 2, 2000, for the November 4, 1997 murders of her two children in Sherwood. Riggs, a nurse, smothered Justin Thomas, 5, and Shelby Riggs, 2, after a failed attempt to kill Justin with a drug injection. She declined to appeal her conviction…