Centennial Commission

On February 14, 1912, after nearly 49 years as a U.S. territory and thousands of years as a sacred home to indigenous peoples, Arizona became the 48th state and the last of the contiguous states to enter the Union of the United States of America.

Nearly 10 decades later, the Arizona Centennial Commission has begun planning a celebration of Arizona's 100th anniversary of statehood, to occur on February 14, 2012.

Established by Executive Order 2008-24 of the Governor, the Arizona Centennial Commission (Commission) was created to execute a comprehensive plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Arizona’s statehood and to coordinate national, regional, state, and local observances of the Centennial.

The Commission, through its non-profit arm, the Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation, will organize a high concentration of Centennial Signature Projects, Signature Events and promotions to take place between September 2011 and February 2012. Additionally, the Commission will sanction community-generated Official Centennial Events taking place between February 2011 and December 2012.

The Commission is also working collaboratively with the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission to encourage observance of Arizona’s Centennial through the promotion and designation of Legacy Projects among local Arizona cities, town and communities.

Commission members represent a broad cross-section of Arizona communities and interests, including business, cultural, tribal and political leaders. They are committed to bringing Arizonans together to fulfill the Centennial vision – "to appreciate our state’s rich past, celebrate the present, and together, create a vibrant and sustainable future."

For Additional Information

Visit the Arizona Centennial Commission website, or contact the Centennial staff:

Karen Churchard, Director
kchurchard@azot.gov 
(602) 364-4158

Mandi Wimmer, Deputy Director
mwimmer@az100years.org
(602) 364-3723