1849: The first recorded birth of an Anglo baby in Arizona occurs when a "Mrs. Howard," traveling with a party of immigrants led by Charles E. Pancoast in flatboats down the Gila River, stop along the riverbank to give birth to a child she names "Gila."
1879: The first Methodist church is organized in Tucson by Superintendent George H. Adams.
1929: The University of Arizona football team beats Cal Tech, 35-0, in the first game played in Arizona Stadium. The city of Tucson declares a public holiday in honor of the occasion.
1939: Wakefield school is named for Maria Wakefield, one of the first two women teachers in the district.
1940: "The Westerner" — starring Gary Cooper and filmed in Tucson — opens at the Fox Theatre.
Also in 1940: Western movie star Tom Mix dies when his Cord automobile leaves the road along what is now Arizona 79 between Tucson and Florence. A monument marks the spot.
Want to share an important event from Tucson's history? Email it to krumore@azstarnet.com.
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