José María Redondo is one of Arizona’s most famous and accomplished citizens. Born 1830 in Sonora, Mexico, Redondo left an upper-class lifestyle at the age of 19 to mine for gold in modern Southern Arizona and California. He was a natural entrepreneur and businessman and after a decade of overseeing successful mining operations, Redondo took […]

A National History Day season for the history books! Arizona students stayed committed to their NHD projects despite facing an ever-changing NHD landscape! The theme for 2022 was Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, and Consequences.  Congratulations to the 43 students from Arizona representing 28 entries that were promoted to the national contest. They […]

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing word that the war had ended and the enslaved people of the Gulf Coast island were free. Celebrations of June 19th – known early on as “Emancipation Day” or “Jubilee Day,” and later, “Juneteenth” – began in Texas soon after, spreading to other communities […]

NHDAZ 2022 is one for the history books! Students gracefully navigated an ever-changing school and NHD landscape and have a lot to show for it! Topics on this year’s theme, Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, and Consequences ranged from equal rights struggles, local historical debates, conflict in the Middle East, and even ancient […]

The COVID death toll in the United States has climbed to more than 900,000 lives lost. In Arizona alone, we have lost over 27,000 lives. Each death leaves behind family and friends who mourn the loss of their loved ones. Public memorials are a way for grieving families to come together to share their stories […]

“On Air: Broadcasting the News in Arizona” opens February 25, 2022 at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe, Arizona   “On Air: Broadcasting the News in Arizona” opens February 25 at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe/Phoenix. Highlighting media history in the Arizona market, “On Air” not only tells the story of Arizona’s growth, but […]

“Los Desconocidos: The Migrant Quilt Project” opens January 20, 2022 at the Arizona History Museum in Tucson, Arizona   Founded in Tucson in the mid-2000s, The Migrant Quilt Project memorializes the stories of migrants who died seeking refuge in the United States. It is a collaborative effort between artists, quiltmakers, and activists to document the […]

Arizona Historical Society Announces Dr. David Breeckner As the New Executive Director Dr. Breeckner Will Lead the State’s Oldest Historical Agency Starting December 2021 The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is proud to announce Dr. David Breeckner (pronounced “BrEHck-ner”) as the incoming Executive Director. With a passion for history and learning, Dr. Breeckner will start his […]

Very early in the morning on September 16, 1810, the bells of the church in Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato) rang, gathering the congregation from their beds into the plaza. Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave an impassioned speech, urging people to take up arms against the corrupt and morally reprehensible Spanish Crown. This is […]

Arizona Historical Society Invests in Arizona History $38,000 in Grants Awarded to 24 Local Historical Societies and Museums The Arizona Historical Society is proud to announce $38,000 in grant awards to 24 local historical societies and history museums. This annual grant program supports preserving, interpreting, and promoting Arizona history with Certified Historical Institutions across the […]