History Archives – Four States News

Texarkana is about to lose a Historical Building

April 11, 2023April 11, 2023 Clinton S. Thomas, Th.D.

A historic property in Texarkana will soon be lost if action is not taken. Texarkana, AR: Demolition by Decay sometimes occurs to historic properties, and it appears to be happing to a historical property right here in Texarkana. Demolition by Decay is a term used when a property is allowed to decay to the point […]

TMS to host author W. Dale Weeks at the P. J. Ahern Home

March 28, 2023March 28, 2023 Press Release

Texarkana, Arkansas– The Texarkana Museums System welcomes author W. Dale Weeks presenting his latest work, Cherokee Civil Warrior: Chief John Ross and the Struggle for Tribal Sovereignty, on Sunday, April 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the P. J. Ahern Home, 403 Laurel Street, Texarkana, Arkansas. This event is free to the public, but seating […]

Destroying History

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 Clinton S. Thomas, Th.D.

George Orwell once predicted that “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” It might be thought that Orwell could see into the future with his book 1984 and other predictions he seemed to make. These predictions did not unfold though in 1984, they are […]

My Experiment (2009 – 2018)

October 16, 2018 James Still

Every month for 9 years, I have shared a portion of our American history. In sharing our history, I wanted to see if I could help create more excitement in my community for our Founding history. Could that excitement lead others to become more involved in my community? Could I help increase local shopping, a […]

Battle of Monmouth (1778)

October 1, 2018 James Still

In June 1778, the British abandoned Philadelphia and began their march to New York City. The British column stretched for 12 miles and was vulnerable to attack. Washington sent a small force to engage the enemy until he could arrive with the main force from Valley Forge. General Charles Lee engaged the British at Monmouth […]

Separation of Church and State [National] (1802)

August 1, 2018 James Still

Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence and America’s third president. In his First Inaugural Address, Jefferson encouraged citizens to be “enlightened by a benign [kind] religion…”and hoped God would, “lead our [government] councils to what is best…” The Danbury Baptists wrote Jefferson to warn him that some in […]

First Presidential Election (1789)

May 3, 2018 James Still

On April 6, 1789, as prescribed by the U.S. Constitution, “… [Congress] counted the votes of the electors for President and Vice President of the United States…” George Washington was unanimously voted President and John Adams was voted Vice President. (The terms “Electoral” and “College” would not be referenced in law until 1845.) Here are […]

Articles of Confederation: Circular Letter to the States (1777)

April 2, 2018 James Still

The Articles of Confederation (and Perpetual Union) was the first Constitution of the United States. Richard Henry Lee wrote, “In this great business, dear Sir, we must yield a little to each other, and not rigidly insist on having everything correspondent to the partial views of every State. On such terms we can never confederate…” […]

United States Postal Service to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of U.S. Airmail Service

March 23, 2018 Press Release

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ The United States Postal Service will honor the beginning of airmail service by dedicating two United States Air Mail Forever stamps this year. The first commemorates the pioneering spirit of the brave pilots who first flew the mail in the early years of aviation. The first-day-of-issue ceremony will take place May 1, 2018 at 11 […]

Articles of Confederation (1777)

March 3, 2018 James Still

The Articles of Confederation (and Perpetual Union) was approved by Congress on November 15, 1777 and went into effect on March 1, 1781, following the ratification by all 13 States. There was no provision for a president, judiciary or means of taxation. Congress noted it would be impossible to agree on every political view. It […]