The following important events in the history of Arkansas affected political jurisdictions, family movements, and record keeping.

1686	The French established Arkansas Post, the first white settlement in what is now Arkansas. It was the administrative center for the French, Spanish, and United States governments until 1821 when Little Rock became the capital.
1763	France ceded the region to Spain.
1800	Spain officially returned the land to France, although Spanish occupancy continued until 1802.
1803	The United States acquired the area that is now Arkansas with the Louisiana Purchase and it became part of the Louisiana Territory.
1812	The Missouri Territory was established, including Arkansas in its boundaries. After the War of 1812 the Indian population decreased, and white settlers arrived to claim bounty land.
1813	The territorial legislature established Arkansas County.
1819	Arkansas became a separate territory.
1836	Arkansas became a state.
1861	Arkansas seceded from the Union. It was readmitted in 1868.