Statehood: February 14, 1912 Arizona is the 48th state
Origin of the Name: Historians believe that the name Arizona came from the Papago Indian word arizonac which means “small spring”. Yet, another belief is that the name comes from the Aztec word arizuma which means “silver-bearing”.
State Capital: Phoenix founded in 1867
State Nickname: Arizona’s official nickname is the Grand Canyon State. Some other nicknames are Valentine State because Arizona became as State on Valentine’s Day and the Baby State because Arizona is one of the youngest states.
State Flag: Arizona adopted the design of the flag in 1917. The flag has a five pointed, copper-colored star in the middle, which stands for the state’s most prized mineral. The bottom half of the flag is a field of blue. The upper half of the flag are 13 rays of light radiating from the star. The rays alternate red and yellow. These colors represent the colors of Arizona’s historic Spanish explorers.
State Motto: Ditat Deus “God Enriches”
State Bird: Cactus wren
State Tree: Palo Verd
State Flower: Saguaro cactus blossom
State Mammal: Ring-tailed cat
State Reptile: Ridge-nosed rattlesnake
State Gemstone: Turquoise
State Fossil: Petrified Wood
State Neckwear: Bola tie which originated in Arizona
State Economy: Agriculture is cotton, hay, beef cattle, citrus, fruits and lettuce. Mining is copper and gold.
Elevations: The highest peak is Humphreys Peak at 12,643 feet. Lowest is 70 feet.
Distances: The greatest distance in the State from north to south is 389 miles and the greatest distance east to west is 337 miles.
Area: Arizona is the 6th largest state.
Song: Arizona has two songs. They are “Arizona March Song”
In 1912 the song “Arizona March Song” was adopted as the state song. The words were written by Margaret Rowe Clifford and the music was by Maurice Blumenthal. The song is as follows:
Come to this land of sunshine Come stand beside the rivers
To this land where life is young Within our valleys broad.
Where the wide, wide world is waiting, Standing here with heads uncovered,
The songs that will now be sung. In the presence of our God!
Where the golden sun is flaming While all around, about us
Into warm, white, shining day, The brave, unconquered band,
And the sons of men are blazing As guardians and landmarks
Their priceless right of way. The giant mountains stand.
Chorus: Chorus:
Sing the song that’s in your hearts Not alone for gold and silver
Sing of the great Southwest, Is Arizona great.
Thank God, for Arizona But with graves of heroes sleeping,
In splendid sunshine dressed. All the land is consecrate!
For thy beauty and thy grandeur, O, come and live beside us
For thy regal robes so sheen However far ye roam
We hail thee Arizona Come help us build up temples
Our Goddess and our queen. And name those temple “home”.
Yet, in 1982 Arizona’s legislature adopted the song “Arizona”. This song was written and music created by Rex Allen Jr..
I love you, Arizona
Your mountains, deserts and streams
The rise of Dos Cabezas
And the outlaws I see in my dreams.
I love you Arizona
Superstitions and all
The warmth you give at sunrise
Your sunsets put music in us all.
Chorus:
Oo, Arizona
Your’re the magic in me
Oo, Arizona
You’re the life-blood of me.
I love you Arizona
Desert dust on the wind
The sage and cactus are blooming
And the smell of the rain on your skin.
Chorus