NATIONAL ARIZONA DAY
We recognize National Arizona Day on June 21 as the 48th state to joined. Interestingly, Arizona became a state on Valentine’s Day in 1912. Also known as "The Grand Canyon State," Arizona is a filled with natural wonder and amazing abundance.
#NationalArizonaDay
Arizona is home to the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. Established around 1000 A.D., the village of Old Oraibi is located on the Hopi Indian Reservation in Navajo county. Arizona was originally part of the Spanish and Mexican territories. In 1848, it was ceded to the union. Due to the discovery of copper in 1854, copper mining became the area’s primary industry. In 1863, Arizona had become a separate territory
Like many of the Western states, Arizona Easterners came with the prospect of land, gold, and adventure. Cowtowns were born, and battle lines were drawn between those who wanted the territory and those who were already there. Despite becoming a state in 1912, it wasn’t until after WWII that there was a boom in population. This is when air conditioning and refrigeration became more accessible. Around this time, Phoenix became one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Phoenix is still by far the largest city in Arizona, and is the only one to have a population of over 1 million. Tucson and Mesa are the next largest cities, but each only has over half a million residents.
Arizona is known for being exceptionally hot, especially in the summer. The hottest temperature ever in the state was 128 degrees. As they say though, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” If you’re not buying this line and the soaring daytime summer temperatures of Arizona get to you, Lake Mead may be the cure. With hiking, watersports, camping, and beaches, there are plenty of ways to relax, have fun, and cool off. If you simply want to avoid the heat altogether, it gets below 50 degrees during the winter months.
6 Random Facts About Arizona
The state measures 113,998 square miles, which makes it the 6th largest state in the country.
The state motto is “Ditat Deus,” which is Latin for “God Enriches.”
The state tree is the Palo Verde Tree and the state flower is the Saguaro Cactus flower.
The state animal is the Ringtail and the state bird is the Cactus Wren.
Arizona is home to over 75 licensed craft breweries as well as more than 100 wineries.
The state is just one of two in the country that doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time.
Arizona ruly one that is full of natural wonders. The state boasts 22 national parks and monuments, as well as 35 state parks and natural areas, and has two of the top-rated waterfalls in the country. If all that is not enough, there is also the 800-mile Arizona Trail, which is a popular place to hike, go horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.
Known as the Grand Canyon State, Arizona brings the wilderness to you. The breathtaking views of the Colorado Plateau, which incidentally took over 70 million years to form into towering stone, are now one of nature’s grand centerpieces. Carved into limestone cliffs along Beaver Creek you will find a well-preserved dwelling towers above the scrubland below. Home to the Sinagua Indians around 1500 AD, the Aztecs mistakenly named this place Montezuma Castle. Find your way to the Saguaro National Park to see the mighty cacti of the west. These majestic plants of the desert can grow up to 50 feet tall. Under the right conditions, they can live to be over 150 years old.
5 NATIONAL ARIZONA DAY CELEBRATIONS
Join National Day Calendar as we explore Arizona’s rich history and remarkable landscapes. Get to know their people, culture, and uncover the hidden places of Arizona!
Plan to attend an annual festival or event in Arizona, such as the Arizona Balloon Classic in Goodyear, the Quartzite Rock and Mineral Show, the Arizona Renaissance Festival, Arizona Beer Week, and the Sedona International Film Festival.
Watch one of the several movies filmed in this state. Some of these movies include Revenge of the Nerds, Tombstone, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Transformers, Cannonball Run II, or National Lampoon’s Vacation.
Explore some of the hidden treasures in Arizona, such as Fireflies – Yayoi Kusama Infinity Room in Phoenix, Meteor Crater in Winslow, Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, Valley of the Moon in Tucson, and Area 66 in Yucca.
Share your memories and photos about Arizona on social media, using the hashtag #NationalArizonaDay.
Famous People from Arizona
Geronimo
The legendary Bedonkohe Apache, Geronimo sought revenge against the Mexican and U.S. governments. He successfully evaded capture for decades until 1886. Geronimo surrendered, not once, but twice that year. First to General George Crook, but quickly escaped fearing death. He surrendered once again soon after to Brigadier General Nelson Miles.
Frank Luke
During World War I, Frank Luke became known as the second-ranked American fighting ace after Eddie Rickenbacker. He would be shot down after on September 29, 1918, after a string of victories. Luke was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously.
Helen Jacobs
Helen Jacobs outward personality and aggressive physical play brought a heated rivalry to women’s tennis in the 1930s. Jacobs often found herself going head-to-head with Helen Wills who played with a much more reserved style. Jacobs was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1962.
Wayne Thiebaud
Wayne Thiebaud’s art depicted the everyday delights that draw shoppers' vision to windows or colorful, glossy ads. He captured frosted doughnuts and after dinner drinks, patterns and swirls to tantalize the eye.
Marty Robbins
Country Music Hall of Famer, Marty Robbins, began his career on radio and TV westerns. He would go on to a successful music career and feed his interest in NASCAR, too.
Cesar Chavez
A former migrant farm worker, Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association. The organization would later become the United Farm Workers of America and under Chavez’ guidance, it would gain higher wages and benefits for workers.
Joan Ganz Cooney
Joan Ganz Cooney brought education to television through the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW). The first program was Sesame Street with its cast of Muppet and human characters, all of whom reside there. Sometimes guests come to visit Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch, too. The next show to land on CTW was The Electric Company.
Lynda Carter
Crowned Miss World America in 1972, Lynda Carter’s most memorable role was the superhero Wonder Woman in the television series by the same name.
Diana Gabaldon
In 1991, Diana Gabaldon published the first of the Outlander series. The bestselling series would be later be adapted for television.
Bob Baffert
Bob Baffert is only the second racehorse trainer to have trained two Triple Crown winners. In 2015, American Pharoah swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. In 2018, Justify completed the same feat under Baffert’s.