1. On January 16, 1912, Arizona officially became the 48th state in the Union. After years of being a territory, Arizona was granted statehood by President William Howard Taft.

2. In 1942, on January 16, the Poston War Relocation Center opened in Arizona. This internment camp was one of ten such camps where Japanese Americans were forced to live during World War II.

3. On January 16, 1977, it was recorded as the coldest day in Flagstaff history at -30 degrees Fahrenheit. This frigid temperature made it difficult for residents to go about their daily lives.

4. In 1991, the Arizona Wildcats defeated the Miami Hurricanes 29-0 in Super Bowl XXV to win the national championship. This was the first national championship for the Wildcats in football.

5. On January 16, 2011, Tucson experienced a tragedy known as the Tucson shooting. Six people were killed and thirteen others were injured when a gunman opened fire at a political event. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was among those injured.