1. The Temperatures Rose High in 1988: December 26, 1988, was a particularly warm day in Arizona. Phoenix saw the mercury rise to a high of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. For residents used to warm climates, this may seem normal, but for anyone else, it is an unusual occurrence.

2. The Winter Storms of 2015: In December 2015, the state of Arizona experienced a massive snowstorm. Areas in Flagstaff and other cities saw a massive amount of snowfall, which caused a flurry of activity on December 26.

3. The Launch of the Christmas Bird Count: December 26, 1900, marked the launch of a new tradition known as the Christmas Bird Count. Ornithologists and bird enthusiasts all over the country will gather to document bird sightings on this date every year.

4. The Arizona Statehood Day: December 26 is also Arizona Statehood Day. On this date in 1846, Arizona became a part of the United States. The territory was established by an act of Congress and eventually became a state in 1912.

5. The Van Buren Street Bridge Collapse: On December 26, 1978, the Van Buren Street Bridge in Phoenix collapsed, killing three people and injuring several others. The accident was caused due to a design flaw, and since then, the state has implemented stricter safety regulations for the construction of bridges and other infrastructure.