History

Colorado’s nickname, “The Centennial State,” comes from it being admitted to the Union in 1876 – the nation’s 100th anniversary.

If you’re a fan of the spectral and the spooky, then Colorado has the jackpot for you: ghost towns.

Carrying the state’s name, the Colorado River starts in the Rocky Mountains and runs southwest, creating the Grand Canyon and providing Arizona and California with its border before feeding into Baja California in Mexico.

Ever since Colorado has had a state capital, that capital has been Denver thanks to an 1881 referendum.

When you’re considered the highest city in the United States by elevation, you’re bound to create a reputation.

Happy Women’s History Month! March is a great month for lots of reasons — the sun starts shining more, we can enjoy patio dining again, but most importantly, we get to celebrate women and their contributions.

Imagine starting your music career with a violin comprised of cornstalk, wood and string.

“O beautiful for spacious skies … ” Sing it with me now!

Hot. Steamy. Sultry. Whatever you say, it is August.

You might not know that Colorado’s very own Deer Trail lays claim to the first rodeo in the world.

Ever wondered where the dreaded parking boot was created? This popular traffic enforcement measure has a Denver native to thank.

In 1941, while World War II raged on around the globe, history was in the making in Morrison, Colorado.

Hike the stunning Mount Falcon trail and you’ll stumble upon some curious, castle-like ruins: the husk of the Walker family home.

You may have guessed that Colorado got its name from the Colorado River. If so, you’d be right; early explorers believed that the river began in Colorado, though it was later discovered to be Wyoming.

Denverites just voted to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. How did “magic mushrooms” spread their spores in America to start?

In the late 1880s, an American mogul named Zalmon Simmons scaled Pikes Peak by mule. Wishing more people could enjoy the view without the miserable trip, he funded a railway to the top.

In 1970, the International Olympic Committee awarded the ‘76 Winter Olympics to Denver. Stakeholders rejoiced; the city had been trying to win the bid for 20 years. So why didn’t it happen?

Though a staple of today’s headlines, dirty politics is far from a modern innovation. During Colorado’s 1904 gubernatorial election, both Democrat Alva Adams and Republican James H. Peabody deployed unsavory strategies to edge ahead.

A new WikiProject, Women in Red, demands greater recognition for female historical figures by increasing the number of biographies about women on Wikipedia.

Wildfires have already caused damage to communities in Colorado this year. Three 2018 fires rank among the 20 largest in state history.

In 1973, Congress designated Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day. That date commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.

Feeling patriotic after your July Fourth celebrations? Here’s a fun fact: One of America’s most popular patriotic songs was inspired by Pikes Peak.

At The Colorado 100, we love all things 100. When we heard about the exhibition at the History Colorado Center, “Zoom In: The Centennial State in 100 Objects,” we had to check it out.

The National Archives has launched a Citizen Archivist program, enlisting virtual volunteers to improve the accessibility of its records.

For Irish Americans, St. Patrick’s Day is full of green beer and exciting parades, but rarely do we celebrate in authentic Irish style. Try some of these unique cultural traditions this year.

When he was 15, Jim Bishop spent $450 on a parcel of land in southern Colorado. Years later, after getting married, he decided it was time to start building a family cabin in the woods on this same piece of land.

Immortalized on stage and screen, the “unsinkable” Molly Brown is a legendary figure best known for surviving the Titanic disaster.

Throughout history, activism has appeared in many different forms. Although many associate activism with marches nowadays, one of the most influential protests in history was Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517, which led to the Protestant Reformation.

When thinking of Labor Day you often picture picnics, barbecues and parades. However, Labor Day, celebrated the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to social and economic achievements of American workers.