Eclipse Memories: A Year After Texarkana’s Dual-State Phenomenon

What a difference a year makes! It's hard to believe that one year ago on April 8, 2024, the skies darkened over Texarkana as we witnessed a once-in-lifetime event the Great American Solar Eclipse.

The Day The Sun Went Dark Over Texarkana

The total solar eclipse captivated millions of spectators who traveled far and wide to get a glimpse of this spectacular celestial event. Arkansas and Texas fell right in the path of totality which lasted anywhere from 2 to almost 5 minutes depending on where you were the moment it occurred. Hotels were booked for months in anticipation of the solar eclipse with solar events taking place everywhere the eclipse would be.

Texarkana had its own event called the Texarkana Solarbration which gave spectators a chance to view the solar eclipse standing in two states, Arkansas and Texas. Although the downtown celebration didn't draw as many people as I thought it would, it still turned out to be a great event. Both city mayors spoke to the crowd before the eclipse and got the crowd fired up for an incredible show. At first, I thought we weren't going to see it because the day started cloudy with a chance of rain. However, around noon when the crowd began to gather downtown the sun popped through just in time to see right before 2 PM.

What The Solar Eclipse Meant to Me

If you ask several people how they felt seeing it, each one would probably give you a different answer. For me, it was a spiritual awakening to realize that in this big old universe, we are just a small part of living in this world together, bound by the power and the glory of God.

As the darkness came over the city I saw people, families, and children cheering, kissing, and hugging one another, it's as if the world stopped turning for almost 3 minutes. During the eclipse, the band was playing Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon," a fitting song for a climactic moment in history in the streets of downtown Texarkana.

When is the next Total Solar Eclipse in Arkansas?

The next total solar eclipse in Arkansas will occur on August 12, 2045.

For future eclipse check out this NASA website.

Until the next time, Texarkanians will remember April 8, 2024, as a very special day with family and friends, I know I will.

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