Arizona in United States History
Timeline of Significant Events:
- 1539: Spanish explorer Marcos de Niza explored the region.
- 1692: Franciscan missionaries established missions in Arizona.
- 1848: Arizona became part of the United States as a result of the Mexican-American War.
- 1863: Arizona Territory was established.
- 1912: Arizona became the 48th state.
- 1968: The assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy occurred in Arizona.
- 1996: The Arizona Cardinals hosted Super Bowl XXX.
- 2010: Arizona passed the controversial SB 1070, which focused on illegal immigration.
- 2013: Arizona legalized same-sex marriage.
- 2016: Arizona was a key battleground state in the presidential election.
Important Legislation:
- Supreme Court Case: Arizona v. United States (1932): Challenged the constitutionality of the Boulder Canyon Project Act and established federal authority over interstate water rights.
- SB 1070 (2010): Known as the “show me your papers” law, it expanded state and local enforcement of federal immigration laws.
- HB 2561 (2014): Required voters to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote.
- SB 5142 (2016): Legalized the use of recreational marijuana.
Major Industry:
- Copper mining: Arizona is one of the world’s largest producers of copper.
Impact on the Rest of the Country:
- Arizona’s immigration laws have had a significant impact on national debates about illegal immigration.
- The state’s legal marijuana industry has led to discussions about drug legalization nationwide.
- Arizona has been a key battleground state in presidential elections, with its electoral votes often influencing the outcome.
- The state’s conservative politics have influenced national debates and legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act.