At 10:00am on Valentine's Day in 1912 President William Howard Taft signed the proclamation for statehood in the White House, which made Arizona the 48th State of the Union. The news was immediately telegraphed to Phoenix, and later that day, George W. P. Hunt placed his hand on a Bible and was sworn in as the first governor of Arizona.
The proclamation for statehood also enforced the new Arizona State Constitution which includes the opening Preamble:
"We, the people of the state of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this constitution."
The constitution also established the legal state motto of Ditat Deus, which in Latin means "God Enriches". Ditat Deus has been a legal part of our government seal since our earliest days as an Arizona Territory.
PRAY: Let us celebrate Arizona's birthday by acknowledging our gratitude to Almighty God and declaring that God does enrich us! Pray also that our government leaders -- Governor Brewer and Executive officials, Legislators in the Arizona House and Senate, our U.S. Congressmen and Senators, and our Justices and Judges -- will all experience a greater revelation of Jesus and His government in their personal lives as well as in their official capacities.
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