Q 01/05

Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912. Which holiday does that date fall on?

A) Presidents' Day

B) Valentine's Day

C) Groundhog Day

D) Leap Day

Answer · why

B) Valentine's Day

Arizona was the last of the contiguous 48 states to join the Union; only Alaska and Hawaii came later.

Q 02/05

The state's name is thought to come from an O'odham phrase, alĭ ṣonak, meaning what?

A) Red earth

B) Dry river

C) Small spring

D) Tall mountain

Answer · why

C) Small spring

The phrase passed into Spanish as Arizonac before being shortened to the name used today.

Q 03/05

How much did the US pay Mexico for the 1853 Gadsden Purchase?

A) $10 million

B) $15 million

C) $25 million

D) $30 million

Answer · why

A) $10 million

The land south of the Gila River was wanted for a southern transcontinental railroad route.

Q 04/05

Which government formally organized an Arizona Territory first, on January 18, 1862?

A) The Republic of Texas

B) The Confederate States

C) The Mexican Republic

D) The Kingdom of Spain

Answer · why

B) The Confederate States

The Union created its own Arizona Territory the following year, splitting it off from New Mexico Territory.

Q 05/05

Which town, home of Whiskey Row and the World's Oldest Rodeo, was Arizona's first territorial capital?

A) Yuma

B) Globe

C) Prescott

D) Florence

Answer · why

C) Prescott

The town was named after historian William H. Prescott, and its rodeo has run continuously since 1888.