1. Arizona's Statehood Day: One of the most significant events in Arizona's history occurred on October 2, 1912, when the state was officially recognized as the 48th state to join the United States of America. Known as Statehood Day, this annual occasion is celebrated throughout the state with parades, festivals, and other activities.

2. The Bisbee Deportation: On October 2, 1917, a tragedy known as the Bisbee Deportation occurred, wherein more than 1,200 striking miners were arrested and deported from Bisbee, Arizona, to New Mexico. This event was a low point in Arizona's labor history and remains controversial to this day.

3. A Historic Baseball Game: On October 2, 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers played their final regular-season baseball game at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, against the Philadelphia Phillies. The game was significant because it marked the end of an era for the Dodgers, who would relocate to Los Angeles the following year.

4. The Naming of Saguaro National Park: On October 2, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed a bill into law that officially designated Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona. The park is renowned for its towering saguaro cacti that can reach heights of up to 70 feet and is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.

5. A Deadly Shooting: On October 2, 2017, a gunman opened fire from a hotel room overlooking a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, killing 58 people and injuring more than 800 others. Although the shooting took place in Nevada, many Arizonans were impacted, including several victims who hailed from the state. The incident remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.