Arizona

History

Main article: History of Arizona

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Beyond its original native inhabitants, Marcos de Niza, a Franciscan, explored the area in 1539. Coronado's expedition entered the area in 1540–42 during its search for Cibola. Father Kino developed a chain of missions and taught the Indians Christianity in Pimería Alta (now southern Arizona and northern Sonora) in the 1690s and early 1700s. Spain founded fortified towns (presidios) at Tubac in 1752 and Tucson in 1775. All of what is now Arizona became part of Mexico's northwest frontier upon the Mexican assertion of independence from Spain in 1810. The United States took possession of most of Arizona at the end of the Mexican War in 1848. In 1853 the land below the Gila River was acquired from Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase. Arizona was administered as part of the Territory of New Mexico until it was organized into a separate territory on February 24, 1863.

Related Topics:
Native - Marcos de Niza - Franciscan - 1539 - Coronado - 1540 - 42 - Cibola - Christianity - Pimería Alta - Sonora - 1690s - 1700s - Spain - 1752 - 1775 - 1810 - Mexican War - 1848 - 1853 - Gila River - Gadsden Purchase - February 24 - 1863

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Brigham Young sent Mormons to Arizona in the mid to late 1800s. They founded Mesa, Snowflake, Heber, Safford and other towns. They also settled in the Phoenix Valley (or "Valley of the Sun"), Tempe, Prescott, among other areas.

Related Topics:
Brigham Young - Mormon - 1800s - Mesa - Snowflake - Heber - Safford - Phoenix Valley - Tempe - Prescott

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Arizona was the site of a German and Italian prisoner of war camp during WWII. The site was purchased after the war by the Maytag family, and is currently the Phoenix Zoo. A Japanese internment camp was located on Mount Lemmon, just outside of the southeastern city of Tucson.

Related Topics:
WWII - Phoenix Zoo - Mount Lemmon

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Arizona was admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912.

Related Topics:
February 14 - 1912

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