andrew jackson

1815Who was the creator of the first self-balanced rampant equestrian statue in the world and what was the first bronze statue cast in the United States?

In Lafayette Park, directly across from the White House, stands the world’s first self-balanced rampant equestrian statue, created by American sculptor Clark Mills to honor Major General Andrew Jackson. This groundbreaking memorial, unveiled on January 8, 1853, not only became a national icon but also marked the first bronze statue ever cast in the United States. Mills, a self-taught artist who had never before seen such a statue or even his subject, built his own foundry and completed the colossal 15-ton monument using innovative techniques learned through trial and error. The statue’s dramatic design—a rearing horse supporting its immense weight without hidden structural supports—remains a marvel of both art and engineering, drawing crowds and inspiring replicas in cities like New Orleans, Nashville, and Jacksonville.

1945Who founded the Rangers of the United States Army?

Brigadier General William Orlando Darby, born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, founded the famed United States Army Rangers during World War II. Known for his frontline leadership, Darby organized and led America’s first Ranger Battalion, which became legendary for its daring operations from North Africa to Italy. A tragic chapter unfolded at Cisterna during the Anzio campaign, where of the 767 Rangers sent into battle, 761 were killed or captured in a single night on January 30, 1944. Today, his legacy endures not only in military tradition but also through a striking bronze statue in Fort Smith, unveiled on April 30, 2016—exactly 71 years after Darby’s death in Italy just two days before Germany’s surrender.