The history of the US state of Colorado dates back to more than 13,000 years. It became the 38th America state on August 1, 1876, the centennial year of the American Declaration of Independence. It is also known as the "Centennial State".
European Settlement
The region of Colorado has been inhabited for more than 13 millennia by Native Americans. The eastern area of the Rocky Mountains was a major migration route. Spanish conquistadors were the first Europeans to visit this region.
In 1706, Juan de Ulibarri claimed the territory of Colorado. The only Spanish attempt to create a settlement was in 1787 when Juan Bautista de Anza established the settlement of San Carlos.
In 1803, United States acquired a territorial claim to the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains by the Louisiana Purchase from France. The American claim of this land conflicted with the Spanish claim of the region. In 1806, the US Army reconnaissance expedition led by Zebulon Pike entered the disputed region. Pike and his army were arrested by the Spanish cavalry in the San Luis Valley.
In 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty was signed between Spain and America. The United States purchased all the land south and west of the Arkansas River and south of 42nd parallel north and west of the 100th meridian west as part of its purchase of Florida. The Territory of Missouri was admitted to the Union as the state of Missouri on August 10,1821. The Treaty of Cordoba was signed on August 24, 1821. The treaty, signed by Spain, recognized Mexico as an independent state.
Texan Revolt
The Texan war of independence was a conflict between Mexico and United States. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836 and eventually led to the Mexican-American War in 1846. The Mexican-American war concluded in 1848 when Mexico surrendered its northern territory by signing the Treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo. This treaty marked the end of all conflict between Texas and Mexico.
Gold Rush and Statehood
During the nineteenth century, several groups of gold-seekers reached the foot of the Rocky Mountains in the western Kansas Territory, present-day northeast Colorado. In the first week of July 1858, Green Russell and Sam Bates found the a significant amount of gold in the Rocky Mountain region. This discovery precipitated the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Thousands of gold seekers visited the region over the next three years. On October 24, 1859, the Provisional Government of the territory of Jefferson was organized for the territory, but the territory failed to secure federal sanctions. This region, known as the Territory of Colorado, existed as an unorganized incorporated territory of the United States from February 28, 1861 till August 1, 1876. On August 1, 1876, Colorado became the 38th state to ratify the constitution of United States of America.
Recent History
Colorado suffered through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. After World War II, the population of the state increased due to a major wave of immigration. In 1964, the nation's first liberalized abortion law was passed by the Colorado legislature. It is the only state in America to reject the award of hosting the Olympic Games. Today, tourism and high technology are an important economic factor.
The region of Colorado has been inhabited for more than 13 millennia by Native Americans. The eastern area of the Rocky Mountains was a major migration route. Spanish conquistadors were the first Europeans to visit this region.
In 1803, United States acquired a territorial claim to the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains by the Louisiana Purchase from France. The American claim of this land conflicted with the Spanish claim of the region. In 1806, the US Army reconnaissance expedition led by Zebulon Pike entered the disputed region. Pike and his army were arrested by the Spanish cavalry in the San Luis Valley.
In 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty was signed between Spain and America. The United States purchased all the land south and west of the Arkansas River and south of 42nd parallel north and west of the 100th meridian west as part of its purchase of Florida. The Territory of Missouri was admitted to the Union as the state of Missouri on August 10,1821. The Treaty of Cordoba was signed on August 24, 1821. The treaty, signed by Spain, recognized Mexico as an independent state.
Texan Revolt
The Texan war of independence was a conflict between Mexico and United States. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836 and eventually led to the Mexican-American War in 1846. The Mexican-American war concluded in 1848 when Mexico surrendered its northern territory by signing the Treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo. This treaty marked the end of all conflict between Texas and Mexico.
Gold Rush and Statehood
During the nineteenth century, several groups of gold-seekers reached the foot of the Rocky Mountains in the western Kansas Territory, present-day northeast Colorado. In the first week of July 1858, Green Russell and Sam Bates found the a significant amount of gold in the Rocky Mountain region. This discovery precipitated the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Thousands of gold seekers visited the region over the next three years. On October 24, 1859, the Provisional Government of the territory of Jefferson was organized for the territory, but the territory failed to secure federal sanctions. This region, known as the Territory of Colorado, existed as an unorganized incorporated territory of the United States from February 28, 1861 till August 1, 1876. On August 1, 1876, Colorado became the 38th state to ratify the constitution of United States of America.
Recent History
Colorado suffered through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. After World War II, the population of the state increased due to a major wave of immigration. In 1964, the nation's first liberalized abortion law was passed by the Colorado legislature. It is the only state in America to reject the award of hosting the Olympic Games. Today, tourism and high technology are an important economic factor.
| Colorado State Profile |
