1. On January 3, 1959, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge took place. This bridge was the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge in the United States and spans 1,900 feet over the Colorado River.

2. In 1912, Arizona became the 48th state in the United States, and January 3 marked the first day of the state's first legislative session.

3. On January 3, 1954, the Arizona State University (ASU) basketball team defeated the University of Arizona Wildcats with a score of 64-62. This victory was ASU's first over their in-state rivals in 25 years.

4. In 1970, the Phoenix Open golf tournament was held at the Arizona Country Club for the first time. The tournament has become one of the most popular events on the PGA Tour and draws thousands of spectators each year.

5. On January 3, 2001, former Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt was appointed as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior by President Bill Clinton. Babbitt held this position until 2001 and played a significant role in shaping environmental policy and conservation efforts in the United States.