NATIONAL ARIZONA DAY

NATIONAL ARIZONA DAY

We recognize National Arizona Day on June 21 as the 48th state to joined. Our National Arizona Day should not be confused with Arizona Statehood Day on February 14. This state celebration is an additional day to recognize Arizona as the "Grand Canyon State" and the natural wonder and amazing abundance the state has to offer.

#NationalArizonaDay

Arizona is home to the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. Established around 1000 A.D., the village of Old Oraibi is still located on the Hopi Indian Reservation in Navajo county. Arizona was originally part of the Spanish and Mexican territories, but in 1848, the territory 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. Interestingly, this was also around the time air conditioning and refrigeration became more accessible.

Phoenix became one of the fastest growing cities in the country and is still the largest city in Arizona, with a population of over 1 million. Tucson and Mesa are the next largest cities in Arizona, with both having 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

  1. The state measures 113,998 square miles, which makes it the 6th largest state in the country.

  2. The state motto is “Ditat Deus,” which is Latin for “God Enriches.”

  3. The state tree is the Palo Verde Tree and the state flower is the Saguaro Cactus flower.

  4. The state animal is the Ringtail and the state bird is the Cactus Wren.

  5. Arizona is home to over 75 licensed craft breweries as well as more than 100 wineries.

  6. The state is just one of two in the country that doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time.

Arizona truly is full of natural wonders. The state boasts 22 national parks and monuments, as well as 35 state parks and natural areas, including 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.

National Arizona Day Infographic

National Arizona Day InfoGraphic

National Day Calendar®

5 NATIONAL ARIZONA DAY CELEBRATIONS

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Share your memories and photos about Arizona on social media, using the hashtag  #NationalArizonaDay.

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL ARIZONA DAY

National Arizona Day was founded in 2017 by National Day Calendar to the 48th state to join the Union. National Day Calendar is committed to celebrating every aspect of our nation's diverse culture and history, which is why we proudly introduced National State Days. Beginning with Delaware on July 13, we honor one state per week in the order they joined the Union.