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|date=February 14, 1912

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'''Arizona''' became the forty-eighth state to enter into the union on February 14, 1912. It is known as the [[Grand Canyon]] State. Its capital and largest city is [[Phoenix (city)|Phoenix]]. <ref> http://az.gov/ </ref>

'''Arizona''' on February 14, 1912 became the forty-eighth state to enter the union. It is known as the [[Grand Canyon]] State. Its capital and largest city is [[Phoenix (city)|Phoenix]]. <ref> http://az.gov/ </ref>

Politically Arizona has always been conservative, but until 1952 the conservative Democrats were in control.  Thanks to [[Barry Goldwater]], republicans built a strong base and controlled the electoral vote.  In recent years the state has gained population rapidly and the two parties are evenly matched.

Arizona has always been politically conservative, but until 1952 the conservative Democrats were in control.  Thanks to [[Barry Goldwater]], Republicans built a strong base and controlled the electoral vote.  In recent years, the state has gained population rapidly and the two parties are evenly matched.

The growth engine of large scale immigration from California and Mexico, and housing construction collapsed with the [[Recession of 2008]], and the economy is struggling in 2009.

The growth engine of large scale immigration from California and Mexico, and housing construction collapsed with the [[Recession of 2008]], and the economy is struggling.

== Geography & Population ==

== Geography & Population ==

==Political culture==  

==Political culture==  

In more recent years, the [[Republican Party]] has generally dominated Arizona politics. In 2004, President [[George W. Bush]] won the state's ten electoral votes by a margin of 10 percentage points with 55% of the vote, and in 2008 [[John McCain]] won the state with 54% of the vote. Republicans control both chambers of the state legislature. Their two [[United States Senator]]s are Republican. The lone statewide official in Arizona that's a member of the [[Democratic Party]] is Attorney General Samuel Goddard. However, Arizona became the first U.S. state to vote against an anti-gay marriage amendment in the 2006 midterm elections. Although [[gay marriage]] is still illegal in Arizona, this amendment would have abolished civil unions and domestic partnerships for [[homosexual]] couples.

In more recent years, the [[Republican Party]] has generally dominated Arizona politics. In 2004, President [[George W. Bush]] won the state's ten electoral votes by a margin of 10 percentage points with 55% of the vote, and in 2008 [[John McCain]] won the state with 54% of the vote. Republicans control both chambers of the state legislature. Their two [[United States Senator]]s are Republican. The lone Democrat to hold statewide office is Attorney General Samuel Goddard. However, Arizona became the first U.S. state to vote against an anti-gay marriage amendment in the 2006 midterm elections. Although [[gay marriage]] is still illegal in Arizona, this amendment would have abolished civil unions and domestic partnerships for [[homosexual]] couples.

== Notable Arizonans ==

== Notable Arizonans ==