Arizona is the 48th state and last of the
contiguous states to be admitted to the Union, achieving statehood on February 14, 1912. Historically part of the territory of
Alta California and
Nuevo México in
New Spain, it became part of independent Mexico in 1821. After being defeated in the
Mexican–American War, Mexico ceded much of this territory to the United States in 1848, where the area became part of the
territory of New Mexico. The southernmost portion of the state was acquired in 1853 through the
Gadsden Purchase.
Arizona's population and economy have grown dramatically since the 1950s because of inward migration, and the state is now a major hub of the
Sun Belt. Cities such as Phoenix and Tucson have developed large, sprawling suburban areas. Many large companies, such as
PetSmart and
Circle K, have headquarters in the state, and Arizona is home to major universities, including the
University of Arizona and
Arizona State University. The state is known for a history of conservative politicians such as
Barry Goldwater and
John McCain, though it has become a
swing state since the 1990s. (Full article...)
Entering the race, only
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Johnson,
Mark Martin and
Jeff Gordon remained in contention for the
Drivers' Championship, with Johnson holding a 73-
point margin over Martin in second.
Martin Truex Jr. started from
pole position by setting the fastest lap in the qualifying session, although he was passed by
Kurt Busch by the end of the first lap. Fifty-six laps later, Johnson became the leader of the race. Many Chase for the Sprint Cup participants, including Gordon and Martin ran in the top ten for most of the race. Johnson maintained the first position to lead the most laps of 238, and to win his seventh race of the season. There were four
cautions and nine lead changes among four different drivers during the course of the race. (Full article...)
... that Arizona state senator W. P. Mahoney became an acquaintance of
Wyatt Earp when he was a miner?
... that American football
linebackerSegun Olubi grew up in New Jersey, Minnesota, Arizona, England, and California, and attended four different colleges in Idaho, California, and Arkansas?
...that the location of the Silver King Mine was first discovered by a soldier building a road during the
Apache Wars, who found black rocks that flattened when struck?
Image 7A map showing the extent of the Ancestral Puebloan, Hohokam, and Mogollon cultures within the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, all three of which were based in what is now Arizona and/or
New Mexico in around 1350 CE (from History of Arizona)
Image 20This ornate grain basket by Akimel O'odham dates from the early 20th century, showing the Native American dimension to the state's culture (from History of Arizona)
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