See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond
This Day in History: June 15, 1836
Arkansas, the Natural State, the Land of Opportunity
Arkansas is famous for its natural scenic beauty, clear lakes and streams, and abundant wildlife. Since 1995, it has been officially known as the Natural State. This nickname replaced the official Land of Opportunity nickname adopted in 1947 following the slogan, Arkansas Is a Natural, which was used to promote tourism and outdoor recreation. The state motto of Arkansas is “The People Rule.” As with many state names, origins can be traced to native American Indian languages. The name Arkansas is the French interpretation of a Sioux word: acansa, meaning “downstream place.”
As part of the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase,which nearly doubled the size of the United States, Arkansas became a separate territory in 1819. Nearly twenty years passed before it achieved statehood in 1836 becoming the 25th state (13th slave state) to join the union. Arkansas withdrew from the United States and was the 9th state to join the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
“Because of its location as a gateway to the Wild West, Arkansas didn’t luck into the romantic Southern moonlight-and-magnolia image. Rather, it became known as a rough crossroads where people — and outlaws — hid in the mountains, married cousins and sold moonshine.” Source: Arkansas Hillbilly Image
See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com
catnipoflife 
It is a lovely state, which I traveled through twice crossing country. I’m glad you researched the first part because when i went through it was more like the original description. But then I just passed throught it briefly.
This design is great! You certainly know how to keep a reader
entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start
my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!