95 Years of Arizona Statehood

On 14 February 1912 Arizona became the 48th state to join the USA. We had been a federal territory since 24 February 1863. Somewhat ironically Arizona became a state exactly 50 years after it was recognized as a territory within the Confederacy by Jefferson Davis on 14 February 1862. Despite the importance of 14 February 1912 in Arizona history there seems to be very little recognition here that today is anything other than Valentine's Day. It is tough being an historian in a world that cares only about the present.