How did Arizona become a state? Valley 101 examines the origins of the Grand Canyon State
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On Feb. 14, 1912, Arizona joined the United States as the 48th state. But it wasn't exactly a smooth process. At the time, the eastern half of the country viewed the Arizona Territory as unruly and not Anglo enough. It was the "Wild West" filled with unsavory characters.
Originally part of Mexico, the land was ceded to the U.S. after the Mexican-American War in 1848. More land was added just six years later in the Gadsden Purchase.
President Abraham Lincoln is the one who separated Arizona from New Mexico in the Arizona Organic Act.
When a chance arose to join the Union in 1906, Arizonans turned it down; not because of a sense of independence or defiance. Rather, Arizona would have been admitted as part of New Mexico. The proposal pleased New Mexicans and rankled Arizonans of the time.
Instead, citizens of the Arizona Territory pushed to become their own state. But President Howard Taft rejected Arizona's first attempt at admission in 1911.
It was George W.P. Hunt, the man who would become the state's first governor, who was instrumental in guiding Arizona toward statehood. Hunt was a Democrat and progressive for his day.
In this episode of Valley 101, we dive into the history leading up to Admission Day, and the process of becoming part of the United States.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Valley 101 asks: How did Arizona become a state?
