Sun Link Tucson Streetcar service kicks off this week connecting downtown, 4th Ave and the University of Arizona, providing another public transportation alternative. However, streetcars are not a new idea in Tucson. Since 1897, Tucson has used street cars to move people through the business and residential areas near downtown and the University of Arizona. 

With the infamous “Cow Appreciation Day” on July 15th, the diverse history of cattle ranching in the state of Arizona is notable. Arizona’s first permanent ranch, Sierra Bonita Ranch, was founded in 1872 by Henry C. Hooker. Soon after the founding of Sierra Bonita Ranch, other cattlemen took up residence throughout the state and began profitable ranches. The Hilton Ranch operated in the early 1900s and included over 12,000 acres of land. However, Arizona’s cattle industry owes much of its success to Walter L. Vail and Empire Ranch.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964. It is known as landmark legislation which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in schools, workplaces, and businesses serving the public. It also required literacy tests for voter registration in federal elections be equally administered to everyone. 

Beginning in the mid-1990’s, June is proclaimed each year as Great Outdoor Month in the United States. This week long commemoration was expanded to a month long celebration of outdoor recreation and the need to protect and conserve the lands and waters of the nation. All year long Tucson has many opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities such as camping on Mt. Lemmon during the summer, birding in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in spring or hiking in Sabino Canyon during the fall.

This week the town of Metropolis, IL is holding the 36th annual Superman Celebration Festival.  The festival is held between June 12-15 and features celebrity speakers, costume contests, and other events celebrating the man of steel with crowds for the event expected to reach over 30,000!  In an effort to boost tourism to the struggling town, Metropolis, IL declared itself the official home of Superman in 1972, which was later approved by Illinois House of Representatives Resolution 572.  Soon thereafter the town began to fashion itself on the fictional home of Superman by handing out free

The Senior Follies would put on remarkable productions at the University of Arizona that included musicals, dancing, comedy routines, and skits from 1920 to 1930. Their productions included both Broadway performances from New York and original productions. The Senior Follies consisted of 8-10 students from the senior class. (“A photographic History of the University of Arizona, 1885-1985”, 164).

Happy Bike Month!

This week, on May 1^st is May Day or International Worker’s Day in many parts of the world. In America we generally celebrate Labor Day in September, but in Europe and other parts of the world May 1^st is a workers holiday that dates back to the 1880s, and was inspired by the Haymarket riots of 1886 in Chicago. The history of labor movements in America has been turbulent at best. The extraction industries that came to define the Western United States would create a high demand for human labor.

…an archives apprenticeship in Special Collections at the University of Arizona Libraries…

Our graduate assistants have been busy this semester with multiple projects.  Please see what they've been up to by following the UA Libraries, Special Collections Archivist Apprenticeship Blog. 

Spring Fling, an annual UA tradition, returns to the UA campus April 11-13 after spending the last 15 years at Rillito Downs.  Conceived in 1973, Spring Fling has grown into the largest school run carnival in the United States.  It expanded from Bear Down Field to the UA Mall as the event grew to include rides, food booths, games, exhibits and acts.  Alongside the traditional carnival attractions, local and nationally known bands have played the event including No Doubt and the Smithereens in 1992.