History of Arizona in Timeline

Arizona is a state in the Southwestern U.S., part of the Four Corners region. It borders Nevada, California, and Mexico (Sonora and Baja California). Phoenix is its capital and largest city, also ranking as the most populous state capital and the fifth most populous city in the United States. The state is divided into 15 counties.

1900: Completion of original Capitol building

Construction was completed on the original Capitol building for $136,000 in 1900.

1901: Dedication of the original Capitol building

The original Capitol building in Phoenix, Arizona, was dedicated in 1901 when the area was still 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 in 1910

In 1910, according to the Arizona Blue Book, the state population was 294,353.

1910: Mexican Revolution Begins

In 1910, the Mexican Revolution began, leading to several battles fought in Mexican towns near the Arizona border.

February 14, 1912: Arizona Achieves Statehood

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

1912: Arizona becomes a state

In 1912, what had been the Arizona Territory became the State of Arizona.

1912: Phoenix becomes official state capital

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

1916: Pancho Villa's Columbus Raid

In 1916, Pancho Villa's Columbus Raid took place in New Mexico, one of two significant 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, highlighting labor disputes in the copper industry during the early years of Arizona's statehood.

1918: Battle of Ambos Nogales and Confrontation with Yaqui Indians

In 1918, following an attack on U.S. soldiers by Mexican federal troops, American forces assaulted Nogales, Mexico, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Also in 1918, U.S. soldiers confronted Yaqui Indians near Nogales, considered the last engagement in the American Indian Wars.

1918: Battle of Ambos Nogales

In 1918, the Battle of Ambos Nogales occurred in Arizona as part of the Mexican Revolution.

1920: Republican Presidential Landslide

In 1920, the Democratic candidate for the presidency carried the state each election, the only exceptions being the elections of 1920, 1924 and 1928.

1920: End of Mexican Revolution

The Mexican Revolution ended in 1920, after several battles near the Arizona border. During the revolution, many Arizonans enlisted in various armies fighting in Mexico.

1924: Congress grants 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 Democratic candidate for the presidency carried the state each election, the only exceptions being the elections of 1920, 1924 and 1928.

1928: Republican Presidential Landslide

In 1928, the Democratic candidate for the presidency carried the state each election, the only exceptions being the elections of 1920, 1924 and 1928.

1929: Arizona Biltmore Hotel Opens

In 1929, the Arizona Biltmore Hotel opened in central Phoenix, marking the growth of tourism in Arizona.

1936: Wigwam Resort Opens

In 1936, the Wigwam Resort opened on the west side of the Phoenix area, contributing to the development of tourism in Arizona.

June 1942: Aleutian Islands Campaign

In June 1942, the Aleutian Islands Campaign materialized during World War II.

1945: Veeck sold the Brewers

In 1945, Brewers owner Veeck sold the Brewers team.

1945: Internment Camps Abolished

In 1945, after World War II, the Japanese American internment camps in Arizona were abolished.

1946: Veeck purchased the Cleveland Indians

In 1946, Veeck went on to purchase the Cleveland Indians team.

1947: Spring training started in Arizona

In 1947, spring training was first started in Arizona when Veeck convinced the New York Giants to give Phoenix a try.

1948: Arizona Supreme Court overturns Native American voting restrictions

In 1948, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned legal interpretations prohibiting Native Americans living on reservations from voting, following a lawsuit by World War II veterans Frank Harrison and Harry Austin in the landmark case 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 Native Americans to register to vote, challenging their exclusion, and the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in their favor.

1950: Elliott Carter composed his first String Quartet

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

1951: Community education mandate

Since 1951, Phoenix Art Museum holds a year-round program of festivals, live performances, independent art films and educational programs with a community education mandate.

1952: Maricopa County has voted Republican in every presidential election

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

1952: Arizona votes Republican

From 1952 to 1992, Arizona voted Republican in every presidential election.

1960: Sun City Opens

In 1960, Sun City, a retirement community established by Del Webb, opened, catering to the needs of senior citizens escaping harsh winters.

1960: Dedication of the House of Representatives and Senate buildings

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

1963: Lake Havasu City Founded

Lake Havasu City was founded in 1963 by real estate developer Robert P. McCulloch.

1964: Barry Goldwater's Maricopa County Margin

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

1964: Johnson narrowly loses Arizona to Goldwater

In 1964, Democrat Lyndon Johnson narrowly lost Arizona to Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater.

1964: Barry Goldwater

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

1970: Arizona Population in 1970

By 1970, Arizona's population had grown to 1,752,122.

January 7, 1971: Record Low Temperature at Hawley Lake

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

1974: Carefree Highway released

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

1974: Dedication of the Executive Office Building

In 1974, the Executive Office Building was dedicated; the Office of the Governor is located on the ninth floor.

1974: Release of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

In 1974, the film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore", for which Ellen Burstyn won the Academy Award for Best Actress, was set in Tucson, Arizona.

1977: Climax of The Gauntlet

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

1977: Secretaries of State and Attorney General Succeed Governorship

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

1984: Final segments of Starman

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

1991: Population Growth in Metropolitan Phoenix

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

1992: Clinton comes within less than two percent of winning Arizona's electoral votes

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

1992: Arizona votes Republican

From 1952 to 1992, Arizona voted Republican in every presidential election.

1993: Release of Fire in the Sky

In 1993, the science fiction movie "Fire in the Sky", based on a reported alien abduction in Snowflake, was set in Snowflake, Arizona.

1993: Republican Party gains 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, Lake Havasu City recorded an all-time record high temperature of 128 °F (53 °C).

March 9, 1995: Arizona awarded MLB franchise

On March 9, 1995, Arizona was awarded a franchise to begin to play for the 1998 season.

1996: Bill Clinton wins Arizona

In 1996, Democrat Bill Clinton won Arizona, ending a Republican streak.

1996: Loss of Amtrak service in Phoenix

In 1996, Phoenix lost its Amtrak service due to the rerouting of the Sunset Limited.

1996: 1996 Arizona Democratic Primary

In the 1996 Arizona Democratic Primary, voter turnout was significantly lower than in 2000.

January 16, 1997: Diamondbacks voted into National League

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

1998: Begin to play for the season

In 1998, Arizona was awarded a franchise to begin to play for the season

March 2000: First Internet Election

In March 2000, Arizona held the first legally binding election over the internet, during the 2000 Arizona Democratic Primary where Al Gore defeated Bill Bradley. Voter turnout increased more than 500% over the 1996 primary.

2000: Arizona supports Republican presidential candidates

From 2000 to 2016, the majority of Arizona continued to support Republican presidential candidates by solid margins.

2000: Denominations by Number of Adherents

In 2000, a study listed the fifteen largest denominations by number of adherents. The study was also conducted in 2010.

2001: Diamondbacks win World Series

Since their debut, the Diamondbacks have won the 2001 World Series.

2001: Population Growth in Metropolitan Phoenix

Through 2001, the population of metropolitan Phoenix increased by 45% from 1991, contributing to Arizona's status as the second fastest-growing state in the U.S. in the 1990s.

2002: State legislature transfers oversight authority

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

2002: Rodeo-Chediski Fire

In 2002, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire occurred, becoming the worst fire in Arizona's history until 2011.

2004: Proposition 200 Passed

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

2004: Discovery of Q biotype of whitefly

In 2004, the Q biotype of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, originating from the Mediterranean, was first found in Arizona on poinsettia plants.

2005: Native American Language Speakers

As of 2005, Arizona had the largest number of speakers of Native American languages in the 48 contiguous states, with over 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 Proposition 107

In 2006, Arizona became the first state in the United States to reject Proposition 107, which would have banned same-sex marriage and civil unions.

2006: Arizona rejects same-sex marriage ban

In 2006, Arizona rejected a same-sex marriage ban in a referendum, becoming the first state to do so.

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

On July 5, 2007, Lake Havasu City recorded an all-time record high temperature of 128 °F (53 °C).

2007: Jordin Sparks wins American Idol

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

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2007: BCS National Championship Game

In 2007, University of Phoenix Stadium was home to the BCS National Championship Game.

March 4, 2008: John McCain clinches Republican nomination

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

November 4, 2008: Arizona Proposition 102 Approved

On November 4, 2008, Arizona Proposition 102, known as the Marriage Protection Amendment, was approved, amending the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

December 2008: Completion of Valley Metro Rail

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

2008: Arizona approved of Prop 102

In 2008, Arizona voters approved of Prop 102, a constitutional amendment that prohibited same-sex marriage but not other unions.

2008: Arizona passes Proposition 102

In 2008, Arizona voters passed Proposition 102, defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

2008: McCain's Maricopa County Margin

In 2008, McCain won Arizona by eight percentage points, aided by his 130,000-vote margin in Maricopa County.

2009: Burgeoning desert rock and sludge metal underground

Beginning in and around 2009, Phoenix 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 assumes office

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

2010: 2010 Census and Illegal Immigrant Population

According to the 2010 United States Census, Arizona had a population of 6,392,017. In 2010, illegal immigrants constituted an estimated 8% of the population.

2010: 2010 Census

According to the 2010 United States Census, Arizona's population increased by 12% by 2020.

2010: Languages Spoken in Arizona Homes

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 such as German, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and French.

2010: Population Distribution in 2010

As of the 2010 census, Metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson were home to about five-sixths of Arizona's people, with Metro Phoenix accounting for two-thirds of the state's population.

2010: Arizona adopts SB 1070

In 2010, Arizona adopted SB 1070, considered the "toughest immigration law" in the United States, some portions of which were later struck down by the Supreme Court in Arizona v. United States.

2010: Arizona gains a ninth seat in the House of Representatives

In 2010, Arizona gained a ninth seat in the 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 over 32,000 adherents, surpassing Judaism and Buddhism.

2010: Denominations by Number of Adherents

In 2010, a study listed the fifteen largest denominations by number of adherents. The study was also conducted in 2000.

2010: Religion Census 2010

In 2010, the Religion Census reported that 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

The 2010 census provided data on the largest Native American tribes in Arizona.

January 8, 2011: Shooting of Gabby Giffords

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

November 2011: Public Policy Polling survey on same-sex marriage

A November 2011 Public Policy Polling survey found 44% of Arizona voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 45% opposed it.

2011: Demographic Shift

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

2011: BCS National Championship Game

In 2011, University of Phoenix Stadium was also home to the BCS National Championship Game.

2011: Reference to Rodeo-Chediski Fire

In 2011, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which occurred in 2002, was referenced as the worst fire in Arizona's history until 2011.

2012: Supreme Court Invalidates Parts of SB 1070

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

2013: Bisbee approves of civil unions

In 2013, the City of Bisbee approved of civil unions.

2013: Supreme Court Strikes Down Proposition 200 Restriction

In 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the restriction of Proposition 200, which required proof of citizenship to register to vote.

July 2014: Launch of Sun Link streetcar system in Tucson

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

October 17, 2014: Arizona Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

On October 17, 2014, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne announced his office would no longer object to same-sex marriage, and Arizona became the 31st state to legalize same-sex marriage.

2014: Pew Research Center's study on Christian population

According to the Pew Research Center's 2014 study, 67% of Arizona was Christian. From 2014 to 2020 the irreligious population decreased from 27% to 24%.

2016: Arizona supports Republican presidential candidates

From 2000 to 2016, the majority of Arizona continued to support Republican presidential candidates by solid margins.

2016: Largest Private Employer

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

2017: State Farm Stadium hosts Final Four of NCAA

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

2018: Immigrant Population 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 consider similar actions.

2019: Largest Private Employers in Arizona

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

August 2020: Arizona Unemployment Rate

As of August 2020, Arizona's unemployment rate was 5.9%.

August 2020: Largest Employment Sectors in Arizona

August 2020 data identifies the largest employment sectors in Arizona based on nonfarm employment.

December 2020: Study on Climate Change Vulnerability

In December 2020, a study released by ProPublica and Rhodium Group cautioned that climate change could make six of Arizona's 15 counties uninhabitable by 2040-2060.

2020: Christian population in Arizona

According to a 2020 study by the Public Religion Research Institute, 68% of Arizona's population identified as Christian. A separate study determined Christianity as the dominant religion in the state, with a significant Catholic and non-denominational Christian population in 2020.

2020: Joe Biden won Maricopa County

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

2020: 2020 Census

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

2021: Amtrak proposed to restore rail service

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

2021: Legislative seats nearly equally divided

As of 2021, the Democratic Party gained several legislative seats, bringing both chambers one seat away from being equally divided.

November 8, 2022: Arizona voters approve state constitutional amendment (Proposition 131)

On November 8, 2022, Arizona voters approved a state constitutional amendment (Proposition 131) that created the position and office of the lieutenant governor beginning with the 2026 elections.

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 in Arizona

As of 2022, Arizona's largest ancestry groups were recorded.

February 12, 2023: Super Bowl LVII held at State Farm Stadium

On February 12, 2023, Super Bowl LVII was held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.

2023: Arizona's Per Capita and Median Household Income

In 2023, Arizona's per capita income was $61,652, ranking 33rd in the U.S. The state's median household income in 2023 was $74,568, ranking 19th nationally.

2023: Arizona's Gross State Product

In 2023, Arizona's total gross state product was $508 billion, with health care, transportation, and government being the largest sectors.

2023: Support for same-sex marriage

In 2023, the American Values Atlas by Public Religion Research Institute found that an overwhelming majority of Arizona residents support same-sex marriage.

2024: Arizona voters pass a constitutional amendment recognising abortion access within the Arizona state constitution

In 2024, Arizona voters passed a constitutional amendment recognising abortion access within the Arizona state constitution, becoming the southernmost continental state to codify abortion rights.