1. Arizona became the 48th state in the United States on January 31, 1912. After years of being a territory, Arizona finally gained statehood, two years after neighboring New Mexico.

2. In 1933, on January 31, the Grand Canyon was officially designated as a national park. The park covers over 1.2 million acres and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

3. The first Spanish mission in Arizona was established on January 31, 1692, by Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino. The mission, known as Mission San Xavier del Bac, is still standing and is located about 10 miles south of Tucson.

4. On January 31, 1945, a B-24 bomber crashed near Flagstaff, AZ, killing all 8 crew members. The wreckage of the plane was discovered in 1957, and a memorial now stands near the crash site to honor the fallen soldiers.

5. On January 31, 1971, the world's largest solar power station at the time was dedicated in Arizona. Built by Arizona Public Service, the solar power station consisted of 2,700 solar panels and generated up to 524 kilowatts of electricity.