IN OUR VIEW | At Long Last: Arkansas poised to finally get rid of Confederate Flag Day

Did you know Arkansas has a state holiday called Confederate Flag Day?

We suspect most don't. It was established in 1957 during the desegregation fight at Little Rock's Central High. State lawmakers wanted to send a message - an ugly, angry message.

Thankfully, times change and over the years Confederate Flag Day fell out of favor and has been mostly forgotten. Swept under the rug, one might say, with almost no mention given to the annual holiday, which rolls around on the Saturday before Easter.

Still, it remains on the books, an embarrassment to the state and its people. But that will likely change this year.

A week ago, the Arkansas House approved legislation to replace Confederate Flag Day with Arkansas Day, which is intended to celebrate the state's "rich history, national treasures, diverse cultures, unmatched hospitality, shared spirit, and human resilience," according to the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Austin McCollum, a Republican from District 95 in Northwest Arkansas.

The bill passed with strong bipartisan support and now heads to the state Senate, where we expect a similar vote.

Some may claim Confederate Flag Day is a celebration of history. They couldn't be more wrong. The holiday was born solely of segregation and racism and it's been a stain on Arkansas for far too long.

It's a shame that it took so long before state lawmakers decided to put an end to it. But better late than never.

Upcoming Events