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In 1776, Arizona belonged to Native Americans and Spain

Arizona "was a concept that wasn't even in anybody's mind" during U.S. independence in 1776.

America at 250

America is celebrating its 250th birthday, but Arizona has a ways to go before it can celebrate being part of the United States for that long.The big picture: What&#x27;s now Arizona was, at least on paper, part of New Spain in 1776, though the Spanish controlled a relatively small part of the territory that would later become the 48th state.

See inside Arizona's Great American State Fair exhibit

The exhibit recreates some of Arizona's most recognizable landscapes.

News

The Great American State Fair, which continues through July 10 on the National Mall, has gotten some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decidedly poor reviews" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" target="_self">decidedly poor reviews</a> — but Arizona&#x27;s exhibit has been a bright spot, per visitors&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media accounts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpPMz0VqGk" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpPMz0VqGk" target="_blank">social media accounts</a>.The intrigue: Some states with Democratic governors decided not to participate in the spectacle, saying President Trump had made it a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="partisan affair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair" target="_blank">partisan affair</a>.

Deportation looms for Arizona woman who's out of legal remedies

Trump administration immigration changes mean near-certain deportation for this Arizona woman.

A 76-year-old Valley great-grandmother who entered the U.S. illegally 35 years ago is facing the near-certainty that she&#x27;ll be deported to Mexico.Why it matters: Epifania Juares-Gonzalez is unable to work due to age and health issues, and has no family in Mexico who can help care for her.

ICE reaches agreement with AG Mayes to put Surprise detention center on hold

ICE agreed with Attorney General Kris Mayes to pause a planned detention center pending an environmental review.

A proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration detention facility in Surprise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/04/dhs-surprise-warehouse-immigration-detention" data-vars-content-id="d1a17006-17e7-477a-9e4f-a2da46dd0fd7" data-vars-headline="ICE reaches agreement with AG Mayes to put Surprise detention center on hold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/04/dhs-surprise-warehouse-immigration-detention" target="_self">immigration detention facility in Surprise</a> is on hold after Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and ICE agreed to pause it for an environmental review.Why it matters: Opponents of President Trump&#x27;s strict immigration crackdowns have sought to stop ICE from converting the warehouse it bought in Surprise into a detention facility.

Celebrate the Fourth with fireworks fun in the Valley

Celebrate America's 250th birthday with Fourth of July fireworks across the Valley.

Independence Day is right around the corner, and if you&#x27;re looking for a fireworks show to celebrate America&#x27;s 250th birthday, we&#x27;ve got you covered.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fabulous Phoenix 4th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/classes-programs/featured-events/fabulous-phoenix-4th.html#Lake_Stage" data-vars-content-id="12850f5a-515c-4af2-9358-faa59085e6dd" data-vars-headline="Celebrate the Fourth with fireworks fun in the Valley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/classes-programs/featured-events/fabulous-phoenix-4th.html#Lake_Stage" target="_blank">Fabulous Phoenix 4th</a>: Live music and other entertainment, a car show, a kids zone with inflatables, games and water slides, and local vendors selling food and artisan goods.

Route 66 turns 100 with Arizona celebrations

Classic cars, live music and Route 66 nostalgia return this summer.

Route 66 — the &quot;Mother Road&quot; of America that stretches 385.2 miles across Arizona — turns 100 this year.Why it matters: The big birthday is a great opportunity to reconnect with the iconic remnants of Americana in Flagstaff, Williams, Winslow and beyond.

Phoenix Art Museum unveils major Indigenous art gift

A gift of nearly 200 works will help reshape the museum's Americas collection.

A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phoenix Art Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/02/phoenix-art-museum-muscle-memory-exhibit" data-vars-content-id="f8eb65fa-378a-40cd-8ff3-5de33e391321" data-vars-headline="Phoenix Art Museum unveils major Indigenous art gift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/02/phoenix-art-museum-muscle-memory-exhibit" target="_self">Phoenix Art Museum</a> exhibit will explore Native American history, culture and storytelling, thanks to a historic donation of nearly 200 works by Indigenous artists.Why it matters: The new artwork fills a &quot;critical gap&quot; in the museum&#x27;s Art of the Americas collection and will provide a deeper, more complex understanding of Native artists&#x27; role in shaping modern and contemporary art, director Jeremy Mikolajczak said in a statement.

How to celebrate Pride Month in Phoenix

You don't have to wait until the Pride festival to get in on the celebration.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Pride Month, even if Phoenix&#x27;s official Pride Festival isn&#x27;t until the fall (when the weather&#x27;s better).<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🎉 Parties and nightlife</h2>

The best 602 Day deals in Phoenix

More than 400 local businesses are offering discounts and events.

Tuesday is 602 Day, and we&#x27;ve got your cheat sheet to taking advantage of all the revelry and savings across the Valley.Why it matters: The civic-pride-inspired holiday lets us support local businesses as they enter their slow summer season — while scoring great deals.

Arizonans hitting the road as AAA predicts record-high Memorial Day weekend travel

Despite high gas prices, AAA expects 850,000 Arizonans to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend.

Arizonans aren&#x27;t expected to let sky-high gas prices get in the way of their Memorial Day weekend plans.Why it matters: With gas pushing an average of $4.82 per gallon — about 25 cents higher than the national average, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=AZ" data-vars-content-id="cc72bec7-6f7b-427b-a483-4c837dc1dc35" data-vars-headline="Arizonans hitting the road as AAA predicts record-high Memorial Day weekend travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=AZ" target="_blank">per AAA</a> — your long-weekend road trip will cost a lot more than it did last year.

"Classic" Pizza Hut is returning to Arizona

Retro Pizza Hut restaurants are planned for southern Arizona amid a nationwide revival.

If you grew up eating at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="old-school Pizza Hut restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/pizza-hut-classic-virginia-locations" data-vars-content-id="874df07a-591f-4cb9-96f5-27ef1694a1ad" data-vars-headline="&quot;Classic&quot; Pizza Hut is returning to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/pizza-hut-classic-virginia-locations" target="_self">old-school Pizza Hut restaurants</a> with the red roofs and classic decor, get ready for a big dose of nostalgia.The big picture: There&#x27;s been a wave of conversions in recent years as owners have gone retro, transforming restaurants back to the &quot;Pizza Hut Classic&quot; version with checkered tablecloths, Tiffany lamps, red cups and other old-school features.

What to know before tubing the Salt River

Here's how to plan your Salt River tubing trip this summer.

Salt River tubing season is in full swing and we&#x27;ve got everything you need to know to enjoy the classic Valley summertime outing.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recreation portion of the Salt River" data-vars-click-url="https://www.visitphoenix.com/sonoran-desert/water-activities/salt-river/" data-vars-content-id="6f334ad0-3a19-4164-96c2-38ab8b265d0d" data-vars-headline="What to know before tubing the Salt River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.visitphoenix.com/sonoran-desert/water-activities/salt-river/" target="_blank">recreation portion of the Salt River</a> in far east Mesa is about 40 miles from downtown Phoenix.

Tea Around Town brings its unique bus tours to Phoenix

Tea Around Town brings its afternoon tea party tour bus to Phoenix.

Put on your fanciest clothes and enjoy a tea party on wheels in the heart of Phoenix.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tea Around Town" data-vars-click-url="https://topviewtix.com/phoenix/tea-around-town-classic" data-vars-content-id="e1678d60-2ed7-4981-8f8b-fec2296c3311" data-vars-headline="Tea Around Town brings its unique bus tours to Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://topviewtix.com/phoenix/tea-around-town-classic" target="_blank">Tea Around Town</a> offers a unique experience — an afternoon tea party combined with a scenic tour of the city.

Things to Do 🗓

See inside Arizona's Great American State Fair exhibit

Celebrate the Fourth with fireworks fun in the Valley

Glendale marks 623 Day with specials

Phoenix's hidden wildlife sanctuary is worth a trip

Route 66 turns 100 with Arizona celebrations