History of New Mexico, USA

1850 - New Mexico designated a territory; denied statehood

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1878 - Railroad arrived in New Mexico
December 7 — The United States territory of New Mexico is linked to the rest of the nation by railroad for the first time as the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway inaugurates a newly completed line through the Raton Pass. wikipedia
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1881 - July 14 – Billy the Kid is shot and killed by Pat Garrett outside Fort Sumner.
In 1881, on July 14th, the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid met his end at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garrett outside Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Billy, whose real name was Henry McCarty, but who also went by William H. Bonney, was a legendary figure of the American Old West, known for his involvement in numerous crimes, including cattle rustling and murder. His reputation as a gunslinger and his ability to elude capture had made him a folk hero among some, while others viewed him as a dangerous criminal.

Pat Garrett, a former friend of Billy's who had been deputized to capture him, tracked the Kid down to a ranch where he was staying with friends. In a tense confrontation, Garrett shot and killed Billy, ending the life of one of the West's most infamous outlaws.
July 14, 1881

1895 - New Mexico
New Mex'ico (Sp. Nuevo Mexico or Mejico, nwā'vo mêh'He-ko; Fr. Nouveau-Mexique, noo'vö'-mêx'eek'; Ger. Neu-Mexico, noi-méx'e-ko), a southwestern territory of the United States, bounded N. by Colorado, E. by Oklahoma and Texas, S. by Texas and Mexico, and W. by Arizona. It lies between lon. 103° and 109° W. and lat. 31° 20' and 37° N., and has an area of 122,580 square miles...

Population-Nine-tenths of the white people are of Mexican origin, with a dash of the Indian blood, and speak the Spanish language. Many of them have but lately emerged from peonage. In 1850 the pop. was 61,547; in 1860, 93,516; in 1870 (after the setting off of large are: to Arizona and Colorado) 91,879, exclusive of the tribal Indians, who, in 1874, numbered 25,268, of whom about 10,000 were Pueblo Indians, lawful citizens of the United States. The other Indians are Navajos, Apaches, Utes, &c. The Mexicans and Pueblos are Roman Catholics; but the majority of the tribal Indians are un-Christianized. They have ... Read MORE...

1898 - Thomas Alva Edison produced first motion picture in New Mexico
In 1898, Thomas Alva Edison, renowned for his prolific inventions, made significant strides in the realm of motion pictures by producing one of the earliest films in the rugged landscapes of New Mexico. Edison's pioneering work in motion pictures began in the late 19th century, driven by his curiosity and technological ingenuity. This particular production marked a milestone as it showcased Edison's early experiments with film technology in a new and visually stunning setting.

New Mexico's scenic vistas and diverse terrain provided an ideal backdrop for Edison's film, capturing the attention of audiences and demonstrating the potential of moving images on screen.
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Read more about Thomas Alva EDISON

1912 - New Mexico became 47th state

1930 - The father of modern rocketry Massachusetts scientist Robert Goddard whom some called a crackpot, came to New Mexico in 1930 to test rocket-ship models.
From those humble beginnings the aerospace industry became one of New Mexico's leading industries.
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Read more about Robert Hutchings GODDARD

1943 - Los Alamos National Laboratory, which was established for that purpose in 1943, continues to serve as one of the country's foremost research institutions.

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1945 - World's first atomic bomb detonated at Trinity bomb site southern New Mexico
On July 16, 1945, history witnessed a pivotal moment with the detonation of the world's first atomic bomb at the Trinity test site in southern New Mexico, USA. This event marked the culmination of years of intense scientific and engineering effort as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, led by the United States during World War II. The bomb, nicknamed "The Gadget," was an implosion-type plutonium device designed to harness nuclear fission for destructive power.

The test itself was conducted in the desolate Jornada del Muerto desert, where a 100-foot steel tower held the bomb. At precisely 5:29 AM, the bomb exploded with a blinding flash that illuminated the pre-dawn sky and produced a mushroom cloud that reached over 7 miles high. The Trinity test confirmed the feasibility of atomic weapons, altering the course of modern warfare and geopolitics forever.
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1946 - November 2 - Up to three feet of snow blanketed the mountains of New Mexico

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1947 - Alleged crash of UFO near Roswell
In 1947, near Roswell, New Mexico, a highly controversial event occurred, commonly referred to as the "Roswell Incident." It began when an unidentified flying object (UFO) reportedly crashed on a ranch, leading to widespread speculation and conspiracy theories about extraterrestrial life and a government cover-up. The initial military press release stated that a "flying disc" had been recovered, but this was quickly retracted, with officials claiming it was actually a weather balloon.

The Roswell Incident has since become a focal point for UFO enthusiasts, who argue that the government recovered alien bodies and debris from the crash site. Skeptics, however, maintain that the event was simply a case of misidentification, possibly involving secret military technology.
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1948 - June 11 – The first monkey astronaut, Albert I, is launched into space from White Sands, New Mexico.
On June 11, 1948, a significant milestone in space exploration was achieved with the launch of Albert I, the first monkey astronaut, into space from White Sands, New Mexico. This event marked the beginning of the use of animals in space research, paving the way for human spaceflight. Albert I was a rhesus monkey, chosen for his biological similarities to humans, making him an ideal candidate for studying the effects of space travel on living organisms.

The launch of Albert I was a part of a series of experiments conducted by the United States to understand the challenges of space travel and the potential impacts on living organisms. While Albert I did not survive the mission, his sacrifice provided invaluable data that would later contribute to the success of human space missions.
June 11, 1948

1950 - New Mexico - In 1950 the little cub that was to become the National Fire Safety symbol Smokey the Bear was found trapped in a tree when his home in Lincoln National Forest was destroyed by fire.

In 1950, in the Lincoln National Forest of New Mexico, a small bear cub was discovered trapped in a tree, its home destroyed by a devastating fire. This cub, which would later be named Smokey, became a symbol of national significance for fire safety. The discovery of Smokey underscored the destructive impact of wildfires and the importance of fire prevention efforts.

Smokey's story captured the hearts of the American public, leading to his adoption as the official mascot of the Forest Service's fire prevention campaign. The iconic image of Smokey the Bear, with his signature hat and shovel, reminded Americans of the dangers of wildfires and the importance of responsible behavior in preventing them.
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New Mexico has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Land of Enchantment:
Visit Santa Fe: Start your New Mexico journey in the capital city of Santa Fe. Explore the historic downtown, with its adobe buildings, art galleries, and the stunning Santa Fe Plaza.

Taos Pueblo: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Explore the adobe buildings, learn about the rich Native American culture, and shop for traditional crafts.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Descend into the underground wonderland of Carlsbad Caverns. The massive chambers and stunning formations are a must-see for any visitor to New Mexico.

White Sands National Park: Marvel at the otherworldly landscape of White Sands, where vast dunes of pure white gypsum sand stretch as far as the eye can see. Don't forget to bring a sled for some fun sliding down the dunes.

Bandelier National Monument: Explore the ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs of the Ancestral Pueblo people in this unique archaeological site.

Chaco Culture ... Read MORE...