Happy Birthday Arizona!
A Few Facts About Arizona
Arizona was the last of the contiguous 48 states to be admitted to the Union back on Valentine's Day in 1912. It is also the 6th largest and the 14th most populous state.
Arizona, as much of the southwest including states such as California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and a large part of Colorado were part of Mexico until the Mexican-American War.
Thank You, Texas!
Mexico did not recognize the independence of Texas and when it was admitted into the Union in 1845, there was an ongoing dispute of the southern boundary of Texas, now the Rio Grande River.
Manifest Destiny
The USA tried to purchase California and Arizona-New Mexico territory from Mexico and also resolve the southern border of Texas. Mexico wouldn't budge so President James Polk used "Manifest Destiny" to take the land by force. As a student in Texas, Texas history is taken very seriously! You best learn it!
The Last of the Wild West
Each of the states mentioned above had territorial boundaries ascribed and eventually admitted into the Union. As the last of the Wild West (and lower 48), Arizona was finally admitted on February 14th, 1912. So today is a special day for all Zonies.
"The 5 Cs"
Arizona's early economic history relied on the "5 Cs". Copper, Climate, Cattle, Citrus, and Cotton. It was the largest copper mining state in the Union. Jerome, located in my area of Northern AZ, produced the most copper in the USA. The GDP of Arizona would rank 41 in the world. It would be right below Chile in the United Nations ranking.
Valentine's Day Potpourri
I collect and place rocks that are heart-shaped in my yard. Sometimes I find these while hiking or walking in the area. Some plants or trees take on that heart shape as well. Here are just a few examples.
