The Center for Legislative Archives

New Mexico and Arizona Statehood Anniversary (1912 – 2012)

Among the historical records of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate at the Center for Legislative Archives are many documents that illustrate the important role Congress plays in the creation of states. For both New Mexico and Arizona, the road to statehood was protracted and contentious. However, after much effort, on January 6, 1912 New Mexico became the 47th state and on February 14, 1912 Arizona became the 48th state in the Union. Both states celebrate their 100th anniversaries in 2012. Here is a sample of the many congressional records that document New Mexico's and Arizona's long journeys to statehood.

Map of the United States including Western Territories, December 1848


President Millard Fillmore's nomination of James S. Calhoun to be the first Territorial Governor of New Mexico, December 23, 1850


Gadsden Purchase Treaty, as first negotiated, December 30, 1853


Sketch from the office of the Mexican Boundary Survey, 1853


H.R. 357, An Act to provide a temporary government for the Territory of Arizona, May 15, 1862


President Abraham Lincoln's nomination of John A. Gurley to be the first Governor of the Territory of Arizona, March 7, 1863


Memorials of the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico asking Congress for the statehood, 1899 and 1901


"Senatorial Filibustering," by Clifford K. Berryman, Washington Evening Star, January 31, 1903


Map of New Mexico showing county seats and boundaries, 1908


"Admission to Statehood," by Clifford K. Berryman, Washington Post, May 24, 1911


H.J. Res. 14, to admit the Territories of New Mexico and Arizona as States into the Union, August 10, 1911


President William H. Taft's veto of H.J. Res. 14 to admit the Territories of New Mexico and Arizona as States into the Union, August 15, 1911


S.J. Res. 57, to admit the Territories of New Mexico and Arizona as States into the Union, August 16, 1911


Credentials for the first Senators from Arizona, March 27, 1912


Credentials for the first Senators from New Mexico, March 28, 1912


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