1. In 1877, Apache leader Geronimo surrendered to General Nelson Miles in Arizona, which effectively ended the Apache wars and allowed for the establishment of reservations in the area.

2. September 3, 2020 marked the 20th anniversary of the tragic deaths of 19 firefighters in the Yarnell Hill Fire, the deadliest wildfire in Arizona history.

3. In 1928, the iconic Route 66 was officially commissioned as a federal highway, connecting Chicago to Los Angeles and passing through northern Arizona.

4. On September 3, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state to join the United States, only eight years after gaining territorial status.

5. In 1966, the Metropolitan Opera performed its first production in Phoenix at Symphony Hall, with a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” This began a tradition of the Met regularly performing in Arizona, with many notable performers gracing the stage over the years.