Deep love for the Grand Canyon State

Keen on something (historical) to celebrate this Valentine’s Day? Feb. 14 marks the 123rd anniversary of Arizona Statehood Day.

According to the calendar, February looms large in Arizona’s history books: the Arizona Territory was established on Feb. 24, 1863; a half century later, Arizona became the 48th state to be admitted to the Union on Feb. 14, 1912.

President William Howard Taft – who vetoed a resolution to grant Arizona statehood the previous year – signed the official documents in the Oval Office. When Governor George W.P. Hunt made his inaugural address in Phoenix later that day, cheers erupted from the crowd.

– Hannah Van Sickle, The Arizona 100