1844 —
Archibald Yell and David Walker, both of Fayetteville, debated in
Fayetteville on this day during their candidacies to represent Arkansas
in the United States Congress. Yell was a Democrat and Walker a Whig.
They matched wits beginning at noon in the county courthouse, crowded
with people of all ages.
2002 — John Harold Johnson, the publisher of Ebony
magazine, and General Wesley K. Clark were awarded honorary degrees by
the University of Arkansas on this day. The next year, Clark announced
his candidacy for president of the United States but bowed out of the
competition after disappointing showings in early primaries.