Important Arkansas historical events and significant anniversaries for March 26, 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.
March 26, 1804 — Congress redraws the map of the Louisiana Purchase. Three days after organizing Louisiana, Congress divided it along the 33rd parallel (today’s Arkansas–Louisiana line), creating the Territory of Orleans (south) and the District of Louisiana (north). What is now Arkansas was placed within that northern district, an early administrative step on the road to Arkansas Territory and statehood.
March 26, 1949 — Deadly tornadoes in Arkansas. A major outbreak included an F4 tornado that killed 18 people on a track from north of Sheridan toward the Hazen area, with especially severe damage near England…