On June 21, National Arizona Day recognizes the state that joined 48 states into a contiguous unit. Arizona became a state on Valentine’s Day in 1912. 

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.

The Grand Canyon State brings the wilderness to you. The breathtaking views of the Colorado Plateau that took over 70 million years to form into towering stone precipices are now one of nature’s grand centerpieces.

Carved into the limestone cliffs along Beaver Creek, a well-preserved dwelling towers above the scrubland below. Home to the Sinagua Indians around 1500 AD, the Aztecs mistakenly named it Montezuma Castle.

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.

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 and under the right conditions can live to over 150 years old.

If you’re not buying the line “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” and the soaring daytime summer temperatures of Arizona get to you, Lake Mead may be the cure.  With hiking, watersport, camping, and beaches, there’s plenty of ways to relax, have fun and cool off.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Explore Arizona’s rich history and remarkable landscapes. Get to know their people, culture and uncover the hidden places of Arizona! Use #NationalArizonaDay to share on social media.

See other celebrations today.  Happy Father’s Day, National Daylight Appreciation Day, and National Peaches ‘n’ Cream Day.

Hidden Treasures

Fireflies – Yayoi Kusama Infinity Room – Phoenix

Meteor Crater – Winslow

Titan Missile Museum – Green Valley

Valley of the Moon – Tucson

Area 66 – Yucca

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Geronimo – Apache leader – (June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909)

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Frank Luke – Pilot – (May 19, 1897 – September 29, 1918)

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Hellen Hull Jacobs – Tennis player – (August 6, 1908 – June 2, 1997)

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Wayne Thiebaud – Artist – (November 15, 1920 -)

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Marty Robbins – Singer – (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982)

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Cesar Chavez – Activist – (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993)

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Joan Ganz Cooney – Television producer – (November 30, 1929 -)

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Barbara Eden – Actress – (August 23, 1931 – )

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Stevie Nicks – Singer-Songwriter -(May 26, 1948 – )

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Lynda Carter – Actress – (July 24, 1951-)

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Diana Gabaldon – Author – (January 11, 1952 -)

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Bob Baffert – Horse trainer – (January 13, 1953 – )

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