Arizona Territory Established
The Arizona Territory was established on February 24, 1863, when Congress organized it as a separate entity from the Territory of New Mexico. This marked a significant administrative change for the region, allowing for localized governance and development. The formal organization of the territory's government took place on December 29, 1863, at Navajo Springs. Over the years, Arizona's history has been celebrated, notably during its centennial in 1963-1964, which included the historical pageant "The Arizona Story" in Phoenix. This event showcased the rich history of the area, highlighting its evolution from the era of Spanish explorers to modern times, with a large cast and various historical elements. Since 1889, Phoenix has served as the capital of Arizona, continuing to play a central role in the state's political and cultural life. The establishment of the territory laid the foundation for Arizona's development, reflecting the complexities and diverse narratives of its past.
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Arizona Territory Established
Arizona Territory Established
Arizona, which earlier had been part of the Territory of New Mexico, was organized as a separate territory by an act of Congress on February 24, 1863. The new territorial government was organized at Navajo Springs on December 29, 1863.
The centennial of Arizona's creation as a territory was marked in various parts of the state in 1963 and 1964. In Phoenix, an historical pageant was presented nightly from April 19 to 28, 1963, at the state fairgrounds. Called The Arizona Story, the pageant involved a cast of about 1,000 (not to mention cattle, horses, and covered wagons) and traced the region's history from the time of Spanish conquistadores to the present day.
Phoenix has been the capital of Arizona since 1889, when it was made the capital of the Arizona Territory.