The land of southern Arizona was acquired in 1848 when Mexico relinquished it after the war with the United States. The rest of the state was acquired in 1853 through the Gadsden Purchase. On February 14, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state.
State Flag
Thirteen rays of red and yellow representing the setting sun cover the upper half. The lower half is solid blue. The center of the flag contains a copper colored star (symbolizing the state's copper industry) rising over the face of the setting sun.
State Name
Spanish version of the Pima Indian word arizonac meaning "little spring place," or Aztec arizuma meaning "silver- bearing."
State Seal
The words "Great Seal of the State of Arizona" and "1912" appear in a band circling the entire seal. Then center depicts mountains with a rising sun, a reservoir with a dam, grazing cattle, orchards, fields, a quartz mill, and a miner with a pick and shovel. Above these pictures is the state motto.
The words "Great Seal of the State of Arizona" and "1912" appear in a band circling the entire seal. Then center depicts mountains with a rising sun, a reservoir with a dam, grazing cattle, orchards, fields, a quartz mill, and a miner with a pick and shovel. Above these pictures is the state motto.
