Flagstaff’s Fourth of July Celebrations

July 02, 2020

Fourth of July celebrations are interwoven in Flagstaff’s cultural traditions since 1876. Townspeople honored the day with parades, games, speeches, and rodeo. Organizers within the Elks’ Club put on the annual Fourth of July show “The Days of ’49” that included a parade of vehicles, floats, marching bands, and costumed groups holding banners. Fourth of […]

Arizona Students Make History at National History Day 2020

During these historic times, Arizona students are making history by sharing the past… one project at a time. The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) congratulates the 58 Arizona students who competed against thousands of students all over the world at the National History Day® (NHD) Virtual Contest June 14-20, 2020. Middle school (junior division) and high […]

Congratulations to the 2020 Al Merito Award Winners!

The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is proud to honor Delia Muñoz and the Superstition Mountain Historical Society with the 2020 Al Merito Awards. Both award recipients were recognized virtually at the Annual Arizona Historical Society Membership Meeting on June 30. Dr. James Burns, Executive Director of the Arizona Historical Society said, “Congratulations to Delia Muñoz […]

Pausing to Help Slow the Spread of COVID

Dear Members & Friends of Arizona History, We hope that you and your families are safe and staying well. We know many of you have been looking forward to visiting our museums and libraries. Please be advised that as of Tuesday, June 30, Arizona History Museum in Tucson and the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park in Tempe will […]

Praying for Rain: Día de San Juan Celebrations in Tucson

Today is Día de San Juan, or the Feast of St. John the Baptist. In addition to being an important feast day for Catholics, Día de San Juan also marks the beginning of monsoon season. There are a few possible origin stories for the connection between St. John and the monsoons: one suggests that Francisco […]

Juneteenth, A Celebration of Freedom

June 19, 2020

On June 19, 1865 Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas and brought word that the Civil War had ended and enslaved persons were free. The newly freed men and women celebrated, left the plantations, and sought their long-lost family members. Juneteenth, the name derived from the month and date, […]

Important News about Museums Reopening

Important Update: June 30, 2020 As of June 30, 2020, the Arizona Historical Society has temporarily closed the Arizona History Museum and Arizona Heritage Center. Please read the latest news posted on June 30. — June 5, 2020 The Arizona Historical Society is excited to welcome you back into our museums. For more than 150 […]

A Message from the Arizona Historical Society

Across Arizona and the country, Americans are expressing their anguish and anger over the death of George Floyd, and the senseless loss of other Black American lives. Understanding history matters more than ever in times like these. It helps us understand and contextualize current events. History can also teach us to be more empathetic. As […]

What are your thoughts about reopening?

Greetings Members & Friends of Arizona History, I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and well. And I hope during this strange and unsettling time that you found comfort, and maybe even joy, in a few unexpected places. For me it’s been my garden. I’ve harvested more than 50 eggplants this spring […]

What’s the Deal With Cinco de Mayo?

May 01, 2020

Cinco de Mayo is the annual commemoration of the victory of Mexican troops over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While the Battle of Puebla was a significant battle in the Mexican resistance to French colonization, it is not Mexican Independence Day, which is September 16. Cinco de Mayo is more […]

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