Wanderlust World Wanderlust World
Pre-Columbian Era:
- 12,000 BC - The first humans arrive in Arizona.
- 3000 BC - The Hohokam culture begins to develop in the Salt River Valley.
- 1000 AD - The Anasazi culture begins to develop in the Four Corners region.
- 1100 AD - The Mogollon culture begins to develop in the Gila River Valley.
Spanish Exploration and Colonization:
- 1539 - Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado arrives in Arizona in search of the Seven Cities of Cíbola.
- 1540 - Spanish conquistador Melchor Díaz discovers the Grand Canyon.
- 1692 - Spanish missionary Eusebio Kino founds the first permanent European settlement in Arizona at Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Mexican Rule:
- 1821 - Mexico gains independence from Spain. Arizona becomes part of the Mexican province of Alta California.
- 1846 - The United States declares war on Mexico.
- 1848 - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War. Arizona becomes part of the United States.
Territorial Period:
- 1863 - Arizona Territory is created.
- 1881 - The Apache Wars end.
- 1912 - Arizona becomes the 48th state of the United States.
Modern Arizona:
- 1920s - The Phoenix metropolitan area begins to grow rapidly.
- 1930s - The Grand Canyon Dam is built.
- 1940s - Arizona's economy booms during World War II.
- 1950s - The Sun Belt migration brings millions of new residents to Arizona.
- 1960s - Arizona becomes a major tourist destination.
- 1970s - The state's economy begins to diversify.
- 1980s - Arizona's population continues to grow rapidly.
- 1990s - The state's economy booms in the high-tech sector.
- 2000s - Arizona's economy struggles during the Great Recession.
- 2010s - The state's economy begins to recover.
- 2020s - Arizona faces challenges and opportunities in the areas of growth, climate change, water scarcity, education, and healthcare.