Arizona Statehood

On February 14, 1912, President William Howard Taft signed the proclamation admitting Arizona as the 48th state, the last of the contiguous United States to enter the Union. Taft had previously vetoed Arizona's proposed constitution over its provision allowing recall of judges. Arizona amended the recall provision to secure approval. Governor George W.P. Hunt addressed a public gathering at the State Capitol in Phoenix on Statehood Day. Arizona had operated as an organized territory since 1863.