History of Arizona in Timeline

Arizona is a state in the Southwestern United States, part of the Four Corners region. It borders several states including California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, as well as the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California. Phoenix is Arizona's capital and largest city, holding the distinction of being the most populous state capital in the U.S. The state is divided into 15 counties.

1900: Capitol Building Construction Completed

In 1900, construction of the original Capitol building was completed for $136,000.

1901: Original Capitol Building Dedicated

In 1901, the original Capitol building in Phoenix was dedicated when the area was a territory.

1907: Arizona becomes the Copper State

By 1907, Arizona produced more copper than any other state, earning it the nickname "the Copper State" at the time of statehood.

1910: Arizona Population

According to the Arizona Blue Book, the state population in 1910 was 294,353.

1910: Start of the Mexican Revolution

From 1910 to 1920, battles related to the Mexican Revolution were fought near the Arizona border, with some Arizonans joining the conflict.

February 14, 1912: Arizona achieves statehood

On February 14, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state and the last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union.

1912: Phoenix Becomes Official State Capital

In 1912, Phoenix became the official state capital with Arizona's admission to the union.

1912: Arizona Becomes a State

In 1912, what was formerly Arizona Territory became the State of Arizona after the U.S. Army claimed the territory during the Mexican-American war between 1847 and 1848.

1916: Pancho Villa's Columbus Raid

In 1916, Pancho Villa's Columbus Raid occurred in New Mexico, marking one of the few engagements on U.S. soil between U.S. and Mexican forces during the Mexican Revolution.

1917: Bisbee Deportation

In 1917, The Bisbee Deportation occurred as a result of a copper miners' strike.

1918: Battle of Ambos Nogales and the End of the American Indian Wars

In 1918, the Battle of Ambos Nogales occurred after Mexican troops fired on U.S. soldiers, leading to an American assault into Nogales, Mexico. Also in 1918, an Indian War battle occurred just west of Nogales, marking the last engagement in the American Indian Wars.

1918: Battle of Ambos Nogales

In 1918, the Battle of Ambos Nogales took place in Arizona between U.S. and Mexican forces during the Mexican Revolution.

1920: End of the Mexican Revolution

From 1910 to 1920, battles related to the Mexican Revolution were fought near the Arizona border, with some Arizonans joining the conflict.

1920: Republican Presidential Landslide

In 1920, the Republican candidate for the presidency carried the state. This was a national Republican landslide.

1924: Congress Granted Citizenship and Suffrage to Native Americans

In 1924, Congress passed a law granting citizenship and suffrage to all Native Americans.

1924: Republican Presidential Landslide

In 1924, the Republican candidate for the presidency carried the state. This was a national Republican landslide.

1928: Republican Presidential Landslide

In 1928, the Republican candidate for the presidency carried the state. This was a national Republican landslide.

1929: Opening of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel

In 1929, the Arizona Biltmore Hotel opened in central Phoenix.

1936: Opening of the Wigwam Resort

In 1936, the Wigwam Resort opened on the west side of the Phoenix area.

June 1942: Aleutian Islands Campaign

Due to the wartime fears of a Japanese invasion of the U.S. West Coast (which materialized in the Aleutian Islands Campaign in June 1942), from 1942 to 1945, persons of Japanese descent were forced to reside in internment camps built in the interior of the country.

1945: End of Japanese American Internment Camps

From 1942 to 1945, persons of Japanese descent were forced to reside in internment camps. The camps were abolished after World War II.

1945: Brewers sold.

In 1945, Veeck sold the Brewers.

1946: Veeck purchase Cleveland Indians

In 1946, Veeck purchased the Cleveland Indians.

1947: Spring training started in Arizona

Spring training was first started in Arizona in 1947.

1948: Arizona Supreme Court Overturns Native American Voting Prohibition

In 1948, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned the state's prohibition against Native Americans living on reservations from voting, following a lawsuit by World War II veterans Frank Harrison and Harry Austin. The landmark case is Harrison and Austin v. Laveen.

1948: Harrison and Austin v. Laveen

In 1948, veteran Frank Harrison and Harry Austin of the Mojave-Apache Tribe brought a legal suit, Harrison and Austin v. Laveen, after Maricopa County did not allow them to register to vote. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in their favor.

1950: Elliott Carter composes String Quartet

In 1950, American composer Elliott Carter composed his first String Quartet (1950–51) while on sabbatical in Arizona.

1951: Community education mandate at Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1951, the Phoenix Art Museum has held a year-round program of festivals, live performances, independent art films and educational programs.

1952: Maricopa County Voted Republican

Before Joe Biden won Maricopa County in 2020, it had voted Republican in every presidential election since 1952.

1952: Arizona Voted Republican in Presidential Election

In 1952, Arizona voted Republican in the presidential election.

1960: Establishment of Sun City

In 1960, developer Del Webb established Sun City, one of the first retirement communities, catering to the needs of senior citizens.

1960: House of Representatives and Senate Buildings Dedicated

In 1960, the House of Representatives and Senate buildings were dedicated in Arizona.

1963: Founding of Lake Havasu City

In 1963, Lake Havasu City was founded by real estate developer Robert P. McCulloch on the Colorado River.

1964: Barry Goldwater Carries Maricopa County

In 1964, Barry Goldwater carried his home state with his 20,000-vote margin in Maricopa County.

1964: Lyndon Johnson Loses Arizona by Fewer than 5,000 Votes

In 1964, Democrat Lyndon Johnson lost Arizona to Barry Goldwater by fewer than 5,000 votes.

1964: Barry Goldwater Nomination

Since Barry Goldwater in 1964, John McCain became the first major party presidential nominee from the state.

1970: Arizona Population

According to the Arizona Blue Book, by 1970, the state population was 1,752,122.

January 7, 1971: Record Low Temperature at Hawley Lake

On January 7, 1971, the all-time record low temperature of −40 °F (−40 °C) was recorded at Hawley Lake.

1974: Release of "Carefree Highway"

In 1974, Gordon Lightfoot released "Carefree Highway", which takes its name from Arizona State Route 74 north of Phoenix.

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1974: Executive Office Building Dedicated

In 1974, an Executive Office Building was dedicated, housing the Office of the Governor on the ninth floor.

1974: Release of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"

In 1974, the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, starring Ellen Burstyn and Kris Kristofferson, was set in Tucson, Arizona. Ellen Burstyn won the Academy Award for Best Actress for this role.

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1977: Release of "The Gauntlet"

In 1977, the climax of the Clint Eastwood film The Gauntlet takes place in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

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1977: Secretaries of State and Attorney General Succeeded Governorship

Since 1977, four secretaries of state and one attorney general have succeeded to Arizona's governorship.

1984: Release of "Starman"

In 1984, the final segments of the film Starman take place at Meteor Crater outside Winslow, Arizona.

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1991: Population Growth in Phoenix

From 1991 through 2001, the population of metropolitan Phoenix increased by 45%.

1992: Arizona Voted Republican in Presidential Election

In 1992, Arizona voted Republican in the presidential election.

1992: Bill Clinton Narrowly Misses Winning Arizona

In 1992, Bill Clinton came within less than two percent of winning Arizona's electoral votes.

1993: Release of "Fire in the Sky"

In 1993, the science fiction movie Fire in the Sky, based on a reported alien abduction in the town of Snowflake, was set in Snowflake. However, it was filmed in the Oregon towns of Oakland, Roseburg, and Sutherlin.

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1993: Republican Party Holds Power

Since 1993, the Republican Party has held power in both houses of the Arizona legislature.

June 29, 1994: Record High Temperature at Lake Havasu City

On June 29, 1994, a record high temperature of 128 °F (53 °C) was recorded at Lake Havasu City.

March 9, 1995: Arizona Awarded Franchise

On March 9, 1995, Arizona was awarded a Major League Baseball franchise with a $130 million franchise fee.

1996: Bill Clinton Wins Arizona

In 1996, Democrat Bill Clinton won Arizona by a little over two percentage points.

1996: Phoenix Loses Amtrak Service

In 1996, Phoenix lost Amtrak service with the rerouting of the Sunset Limited route, and now an Amtrak bus runs between Phoenix and the station in Maricopa.

1996: Comparison of Voter Turnout

In March 2000, during the 2000 Arizona Democratic Primary, voter turnout in this state primary increased more than 500% over the 1996 primary.

January 16, 1997: Diamondbacks Officially Voted into the National League

On January 16, 1997, the Diamondbacks were officially voted into the National League.

1998: Women Elected to Top Statewide Offices

In 1998, Arizona elected women to all five top, statewide elected offices.

1998: Franchise to begin to play

In 1998, Arizona was awarded a franchise to begin to play.

March 2000: First Legally Binding Internet Election

In March 2000, Arizona held the first legally binding election over the internet, where Al Gore defeated Bill Bradley in the 2000 Arizona Democratic Primary.

2000: Denominational Adherents

According to a 2000 study, the text introduces the denominations by number of adherents.

2000: Arizona Supports Republican Presidential Candidates

From 2000, the majority of Arizona continued to support Republican presidential candidates.

2001: Population Growth in Arizona

From 1991 through 2001, the population of metropolitan Phoenix increased by 45%, helping to make Arizona the second fastest-growing state in the U.S. in the 1990s.

2001: Diamondbacks Win the World Series

In 2001, the Diamondbacks won the World Series.

2002: Rodeo-Chediski Fire

In 2002, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire occurred, which at the time was the worst fire in state history.

2002: State legislature transfers oversight authority to individual community college districts

In 2002, the state legislature in Arizona transferred almost all oversight authority of two-year vocational schools and community colleges to individual community college districts.

2004: Proposition 200

In 2004, Arizona voters passed Proposition 200, requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

2004: Q Biotype Whitefly Found

In 2004, the Q biotype whitefly was first found in Arizona on poinsettia.

2005: Native American Language Speakers

In 2005, Arizona had the largest number of speakers of Native American languages in the 48 contiguous states, with more than 85,000 individuals reporting speaking Navajo and 10,403 people reporting Apache as a language spoken at home.

2005: School District Redistricting Commission Established

In 2005, a School District Redistricting Commission was established in Arizona with the goal of combining and consolidating many of the local school districts.

2006: Arizona Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Ban

In 2006, Arizona was initially the first U.S. state to reject a same-sex marriage ban (proposition failed, 48%–52%).

July 5, 2007: Record High Temperature at Lake Havasu City

On July 5, 2007, a record high temperature of 128 °F (53 °C) was recorded at Lake Havasu City.

2007: Jordin Sparks Wins American Idol

In 2007, Jordin Sparks, a singer from Arizona, won the American Idol competition.

2007: University of Phoenix Stadium hosts BCS National Championship Game

In 2007, University of Phoenix Stadium hosted a BCS National Championship Game.

March 4, 2008: John McCain Clinches Republican Nomination

On March 4, 2008, Senator John McCain effectively clinched the Republican nomination for 2008.

December 2008: Valley Metro Rail Completed

In December 2008, the Valley Metro Rail system was completed, connecting Central Phoenix with Mesa and Tempe.

2009: Phoenix hosts burgeoning desert rock and sludge metal underground

Around 2009, Phoenix, Arizona began to host a burgeoning desert rock and sludge metal underground, led by bands like Wolves of Winter, Asimov, and Dead Canyon.

2009: Jan Brewer Assumed Office

In 2009, Jan Brewer assumed office as Governor of Arizona after Janet Napolitano was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security.

2010: Denominational Adherents

According to a 2010 study, the text introduces the denominations by number of adherents.

2010: Arizona Population Census

According to the 2010 United States census, Arizona had a population of 6,392,017.

2010: Languages Spoken in Arizona

As of 2010, 73% of Arizona residents age five and older spoke only English at home, while 21% spoke Spanish, 2% Navajo, and smaller percentages spoke other languages.

2010: Population Distribution

As of the 2010 census, about five-sixths of Arizona's population lived in metropolitan Phoenix (4.7 million) and Tucson (1.0 million).

2010: Arizona Adopts SB 1070

In 2010, Arizona adopted SB 1070, called the "toughest immigration law" in the United States.

2010: Arizona Gains Ninth Seat in House of Representatives

In 2010, Arizona gained a ninth seat in the U.S. House of Representatives due to redistricting based on the 2010 United States census.

2010: Hinduism becomes largest non-Christian religion

In 2010, Hinduism became the largest non-Christian religion in Arizona, with more than 32,000 adherents, followed by Judaism and Buddhism.

2010: Religion Census

In 2010, a religion census by ARDA found the three largest denominational groups in Arizona were the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and non-denominational Evangelical Protestants.

2010: Largest Native American Tribes in Arizona

In 2010, the census data for the largest Native American tribes in Arizona was collected.

January 8, 2011: Shooting of Gabby Giffords

On January 8, 2011, congresswoman Gabby Giffords and 18 others were shot at a gathering in Tucson, sparking national attention.

2011: Demographic Shift

As of 2011, 61% of Arizona's children under age one belonged to racial groups of color.

2011: Rodeo-Chediski Fire no longer worst fire in history

By 2011, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire was no longer the worst fire in state history.

2011: University of Phoenix Stadium hosts BCS National Championship Game

In 2011, University of Phoenix Stadium hosted a BCS National Championship Game.

2012: Invalidation of Parts of SB 1070

In 2012, the Supreme Court invalidated parts of SB 1070 in Arizona v. United States.

2013: Supreme Court Strikes Down Restriction

In 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the restriction imposed by Proposition 200.

July 2014: Sun Link Streetcar Launched

In July 2014, the Sun Link streetcar system, loosely based on the Portland Streetcar, was launched in Tucson, connecting the University of Arizona campus with Mercado San Agustin.

October 2014: Arizona Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Following a federal district court ruling in October 2014, Arizona's Attorney General stopped objecting to same-sex marriage, making Arizona the 31st state to legalize it.

2014: Pew Research Center Study on Religion

In 2014, a Pew Research Center study found that 67% of Arizona's population was Christian.

2016: Largest Private Employer

In 2016, Banner Health was the largest private employer in Arizona, with more than 39,000 employees.

2016: Arizona Supports Republican Presidential Candidates

Until 2016, the majority of Arizona continued to support Republican presidential candidates.

2017: State Farm Stadium hosts Final Four of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

In 2017, State Farm Stadium hosted the Final Four of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

2018: Immigrant Origins

As of 2018, the top countries of origin for Arizona's immigrant population were Mexico, Canada, India, the Philippines and China.

2018: West Virginia Teachers' Strike Inspires Action in Arizona

In 2018, the West Virginia teachers' strike inspired teachers in other states, including Arizona, to take similar action.

2019: Largest Private Employers in Arizona

In 2019, The Arizona Republic reported on the largest private employers in the state.

December 2020: ProPublica and Rhodium Group Study

According to a December 2020 study released by ProPublica and Rhodium Group, climate change may make six of Arizona's 15 counties uninhabitable for humans by 2040-2060.

2020: Joe Biden Wins Maricopa County

In 2020, Joe Biden won Maricopa County.

2020: Christianity Identified as Most Common Religion

In 2020, a study by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 68% of Arizona's population identified as Christian. A separate study by the Association of Religion Data Archives also determined Christianity to be the most prevalent religion in the state that year.

2020: Christianity Most Prevalent Religion

In 2020, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives, Christianity was determined to be the most prevalent religion in Arizona, with Catholics numbering 1,522,410 and non-denominational Christians increasing to 402,842.

2020: Arizona's Population in 2020

In the 2020 census, the United States Census Bureau recorded Arizona's population as 7,151,502.

2021: Amtrak Proposes to Restore Rail Service

As of 2021, Amtrak has proposed restoring rail service between Phoenix and Tucson.

2021: Legislative Seats Close to Equally Divided

As of 2021, the Democratic Party picked up several legislative seats in recent elections, bringing both chambers one seat away from being equally divided.

November 8, 2022: Arizona Voters Approve Lieutenant Governor Position

On November 8, 2022, Arizona voters approved a state constitutional amendment to create the position and office of lieutenant governor.

2022: Homeless Population

According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 13,553 homeless people living in Arizona.

2022: Ancestry Groups

As of 2022, the text introduces the ancestry groups in Arizona.

2022: Irreligious Population Surveyed

In 2022, surveys showed that the irreligious or agnostic population in Arizona ranged from 24% to 31%.

February 12, 2023: Super Bowl LVII held in Arizona

On February 12, 2023, Arizona hosted Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.

2023: Arizona's Per Capita and Median Household Income in 2023

In 2023, Arizona's per capita income was $61,652, and the median household income was $74,568.

2023: Arizona's Gross State Product in 2023

In 2023, Arizona's total gross state product was $508 billion.

2023: Support for Same-Sex Marriage

In 2023, polling showed overwhelming support for same-sex marriage among Arizonans.

2024: Arizona Voters Pass Abortion Access Amendment

In 2024, Arizona voters passed a constitutional amendment recognizing abortion access within the Arizona state constitution.

2024: Donald Trump Wins Maricopa County and Arizona

In the 2024 General Election, former president Donald Trump won Maricopa County by 71,515 votes and won the state of Arizona by 187,382 votes.

May 2025: Arizona Unemployment Rate

In May 2025, Arizona's unemployment rate was 4.1%.

2025: Compensation to Mexico

By 2025, the $15 million in compensation paid to the Republic of Mexico in 1848 would be equivalent to $558,173,076.92.

2025: Small Businesses in Arizona

In 2025, 99.5% of Arizona businesses were small businesses, employing 42% of the state's workforce.

2026: First Election for Lieutenant Governor

In 2026, the first election for the position of lieutenant governor in Arizona will be held.

2040: Climate Change Impact

According to a December 2020 study released by ProPublica and Rhodium Group, climate change may make six of Arizona's 15 counties uninhabitable for humans by 2040-2060.

2060: Climate Change Impact

According to a December 2020 study released by ProPublica and Rhodium Group, climate change may make six of Arizona's 15 counties uninhabitable for humans by 2040-2060.