Attention, Arizona trivia lovers! If you’ve ever wondered what things Arizona did first – or you think you may one day end up on Jeopardy or any other trivia-based game show where a question could be asked about our beautiful state – you may want to make sure you have these Arizona firsts in your arsenal.

1. The first official rodeo was held in Prescott in 1888.
Dagny Gromer/Flickr
This rodeo, known as the World's Oldest Rodeo, is still held annually every summer.
2. Arizona was the first state to provide bilingual education in the 1960s.
US Department of Education/Flickr
For several generations of non-English speaking children, including my father and his siblings, this push did not come soon enough. It did, however, prevent plenty of other children from falling behind in classes simply because they did not speak English.
3. Starting in 1971, Arizona was the first state to have an official neckwear: the bolo tie.
Jessa and Mark Anderson/Flickr
We're a trendsetter because in the decades following that decree, New Mexico and Texas each designated the unique tie as their states' neckwear.
4. Do you remember when you first registered to vote? In 2002, a wave of new voters were able to register online rather than in-person.
Kate Sumbler/Flickr
That is how I first registered to vote when I entered college that same year.

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5. Arizona was the first state to hire a full-time bat management position with the Game and Fish Department, starting in 1990.
Josh More/Flickr
This is definitely one of the most unique things invented in AZ.
6. Arizona was the first state to restrict smoking in government buildings, hospitals, and many other public buildings in 1973.
Johnida Dockens/Flickr
Thankfully, you no longer have to worry about the doctor sprinkling cigarette ash on you during a routine check up.
7. The Historic Route 66 was first established in 1987 here in Arizona, paving the way for other states to keep the Mother Road alive.
Flickr/Barry Dale Gilfry
It also helped plenty of small towns located along the highway to continue existing.
8. Arizona was also the first state to use ignition interlock devices for people who were convicted of a DUI to prevent future drunk driving incidents.
Wikimedia Commons/Spielvogel
Hopefully, you never have to use one, reader.
9. And, finally, we all know Arizona is a popular retirement location. Did you know that it was also the site of the first master-planned retirement community?
Flickr/Mike Cohen - creditscoregeek.com
Youngtown was founded in the 1950s and set the stage for plenty of other active adult communities. It was also the first to enforce age restrictions, but this was repealed in 1999 after a 16-year-old attempted to live in the community.

How many of these interesting Arizona firsts did you know? Share your thoughts in the comments If you know of any other Arizona inventions or things Arizona did first, tell us about them via our nomination page. You just may see your suggestion(s) featured in an upcoming article!

Don’t forget to check out our previous article to discover one of our favorite things invented in AZ.

You may not have known about all of these Arizona firsts, but you certainly are familiar with the Grand Canyon. Did you know, however, that there’s a lesser-known canyon that looks just like it but has a fraction of the crowds? Learn about Coal Mine Canyon in this YouTube video by us at OnlyInYourState:

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Reasons To Love Arizona & Related Info

Katie Lawrence | June 05, 2023

What are the best small towns in Arizona?

Arizona is full of charming small towns - my personal favorite is Sedona! Some of the best small towns in Arizona include:

Brimming with quirky charm, Bisbee is a former mining town tucked away in the mountains that now serves as a hub for artists. With a mine tour, historic saloons, incredible restaurants, and even sets of staircases hidden all over town, Bisbee is definitely worth a visit.

Founded in 1862 as a silver mining camp, Chloride only has a population of around 400 today. It's a preserved slice of the Wild West, with a historic cemetery and plenty of old buildings from the heyday of the mining industry.

Although Jerome is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of deceased mine workers, it's actually quite a charming town that everyone should visit at least once. Less than two hours away from Phoenix, this living ghost town was once home to some of the world's richest copper deposits. Today, only around 500 people live in Jerome, but its amazing restaurants, cozy inns, and quaint town square with museums, wineries, and shops make it a popular tourist destination.

Do Arizonans have any strange habits?

There are several things Arizonans do that people from out of state just can't understand. Some weird things about people who live in Arizona are:

  • Getting overly excited when it rains

Monsoons can be dangerous, but that doesn't prevent Arizonans from getting excited about them. After all, rain in the desert is a rarity.

  • Knowing that "cold" tap water is often lukewarm - especially in the summer

You can find us thanking our lucky stars that ice machines exist.

  • Having to explain over and over again that it actually does snow in Arizona (and getting tired of doing so)

While the southern half of Arizona doesn't see much snow, the northern part transforms into a winter wonderland during the coldest months of the year. I don't know about you, but I think the Grand Canyon is so much more beautiful in the winter.

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