February 14 marks the date that Arizona became an official U.S. state, which means Arizona’s birthday is on Valentine’s Day! To celebrate, here are 10 fun facts about the beautiful state of Arizona.
1. Arizona is Turning 112 Years Old
President William Howard Taft admitted Arizona into the union on Feb. 14, 1912, making Arizona the 48th U.S. state and 112 years old as of 2024.
2. Pluto was Discovered in Arizona
American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered the planetoid Pluto at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, just four days after Arizona’s birthday on Feb. 18, 1930.
3. The Grand Canyon is Older Than the Dinosaurs
The Grand Canyon is a sight to behold with layers of history, but you won’t find any dinosaur fossils preserved in its breathtaking rocks. That’s because the Grand Canyon is older than the dinosaurs. Ancient dinosaur fossils can date back to 1,200 million years ago, while some parts of the Grand Canyon date back over 1.8 billion years.
4. Arizona is Home to One of the Most Famous American Old West Gunfights
The gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Ariz., is considered one of the most famous shootouts in American Old West history. It took place in 1881 following a long-time rivalry between the Earp brothers and a gang of four notorious cowboys that lasted a mere 30 seconds.
5. The Arizona State Capitol is Over 100 Years Old
Arizona’s State Capitol, built in 1901, was designed by James Riely Gordon. The original plans included a copper dome, though a small lead-alloy top was substituted at the time for Gordon’s decorative dome to reduce costs. The copper dome was finally added in 1975 and most recently restored in 2022 with about 1,500 pounds of copper. Today, the historic building serves as the public Arizona Capitol Museum.
6. Arizona Territory Dates Back to the 1800s
President Abraham Lincoln officially made Arizona a U.S. territory on Feb. 24, 1863, by signing the Arizona Organic Act. This divided the New Mexico Territory to establish the separate Territory of Arizona.
7. Arizona has More Rattlesnake Species Than Any Other State
Arizona is known for its desert landscape, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including an abundance of rattlesnakes. In fact, Arizona has more species of rattlesnakes than any other U.S. state. According to Arizona Game and Fish, there are more than 13 species of rattlesnakes in Arizona, including the Western diamondback, sidewinder, Mojave and black-tailed rattlesnakes.
8. It Has Snowed in Phoenix
While Phoenix is sought out for its sunny climate, the desert city has seen snow on multiple occasions. The largest snowfalls ever recorded in Phoenix were both just an inch, which took place in 1933 and 1937.
9. Arizona Has the Highest Percentage of Land Allocated to Native Americans
Arizona has the highest percentage of land designated as Native American territory of any U.S. state, with 28% of its land allocated to Native American communities. The state is home to 22 tribes, including the largest, the Navajo Nation.
10. Arizona is One of the Most Mountainous States in the U.S.
Since Arizona is often associated with desert terrain, it may come as a surprise that Arizona is one of the most mountainous states in the U.S. Arizona is home to 4,166 named mountains, with the highest point being Humphreys Peak standing at roughly 12,633 feet.
