Happy Birthday Arizona! It may be Valentine’s Day, but it is also is a special day in our state history. Today marks 111 years of statehood for our great state.
Arizona officially became a state on February 14, 1912. President William Howard Taft signed legislation that created the state of Arizona, making it the 48th U.S. State, just behind New Mexico. Prior to statehood, Arizona was a territory for nearly 50 years.
George W.P. Hunt, Arizona’s first governor, was present for the signing. A little bit of history, in case you didn’t know. Have you ever wondered about the white pyramid-like building overlooking the Phoenix Zoo near Papago Park is? No they don’t house wild animals up on the hill. That is actually the tomb of Governor Hunt.
During Arizona’s quest for statehood, it survived a 1906 attempt by Congress to combine the territory with New Mexico which would admit the two to the union as a single state. The attempt required a majority of residents in both territories to vote in favor. New Mexico residents were in support, however Arizonans voted overwhelmingly against the combined statehood.
Even though Arizona is one of the nation’s largest states, the Grand Canyon State has just 15 counties.
Happy Birthday Arizona!
