Tomorrow Arizona will celebrate its one hundredth year of statehood. From national parks and massive construction projects to space exploration and sports victories, Arizona has a rich historical legacy that is sure to grow as it journeys into its second century. To show our love to Arizona this Valentine’s Day, we’ve selected a few events, interesting, memorable and bizarre, to share.
February 14, 1912- Arizona becomes the 48th state under President Taft.
1915- Arizona’s state flag design is approved.
1919- Grand Canyon is named a National Park.
1928- The Navajo Bridge is built in Marble Canyon over the Colorado River.
1930- Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff discovers Pluto.
1934- Arizona and California are “at war” over the Colorado River and Arizona Governor Moeur sends the Arizona National Guard to the river where construction workers are attempting to build a dam to divert water into California.
1948- Native Americans receive the right to vote in Arizona.
1957- Page is founded to provide homes for the construction workers of Glen Canyon Dam.
January 8, 1958- Mary Jane Colter, famous architect, dies at the age of 88.
April 9, 1959- Flank Lloyd Wright dies in Phoenix at the age of 91.
1963- Glen Canyon Dam is completed, allowing for the creation Lake Powell.
1968- The Phoenix Suns join the National Basketball Association.
1972- Bob Dylan writes “Forever Young” in Scottsdale.
January 4, 1975- Grand Canyon’s boundaries are extended from Lee’s Ferry, river mile 0 to the Grand Wash Cliffs, river mile 227.
1986- The ringtail and the ridgenose rattlesnake are designated as Arizona’s state mammal and reptile.
March 14, 1989- Arizona author Edward Abbey dies at the age of 62.
1995- Grand Canyon National Park closes for the first time since becoming a state park due to a budget dispute between the White House and Congress.
2001- The Diamond Backs defeat the Yankees in the World Series.
2006- Pluto is renamed a “dwarf planet”.
2008- Author Stephenie Meyer of Scottsdale becomes the bestselling author of the year.
2010- The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opens, allowing drivers to bypass the Hoover Dam and cross over the Colorado River north of Kingman.
February 14, 2012- Arizona celebrates its Centennial as the 48th state.
-By Vanessa Therrien
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