Navajo, New Mexico is a small town located in the northeastern part of the state. It has a rich history, and many significant events have taken place in or near the town. In this article, we’ll explore seven historical events that have happened in or near Navajo, New Mexico.

1. The Navajo War: The Navajo War, also known as the Navajo Campaign, was fought between the United States Army and the Navajo people from 1863 to 1864. The war was fought to remove the Navajo people from their homeland and to put them on reservations. The conflict led to the forced relocation of thousands of Navajo people to the Bosque Redondo reservation in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

2. The Long Walk: In 1864, the United States government forced the Navajo people to relocate to the Bosque Redondo reservation. This forced march became known as the Long Walk. The Navajo people were forced to walk more than 300 miles in harsh conditions, with many dying along the way due to disease and starvation.

3. The establishment of the Navajo Nation: In 1868, the Navajo people signed a treaty with the United States government, which established the Navajo Nation. The treaty granted the Navajo people some autonomy and the right to govern themselves. Today, the Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the United States, with over 300,000 members.

4. The discovery of the Anasazi ruins: In the 1880s, a rancher named Richard Wetherill discovered the ruins of an ancient civilization near Navajo, New Mexico. The ruins belonged to the Anasazi people, who lived in the area from about 200 AD to 1300 AD. The discovery of the ruins helped archaeologists to learn more about the Anasazi way of life and their contributions to Southwestern culture.

5. The formation of Fort Wingate: In the late 1800s, Fort Wingate was established near Navajo, New Mexico. The fort served as a military outpost during the Apache Wars and was an important military base during World War II. Today, Fort Wingate is used as a training facility for the National Guard.

6. The Navajo Code Talkers: During World War II, the United States military employed Navajo code talkers to transmit secret messages in their native language. The code developed by the Navajo code talkers was never broken by the Japanese and is credited with helping the United States win the war in the Pacific. Many of the Navajo code talkers came from the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.

7. The construction of the Navajo Dam: In the 1960s, the Navajo Dam was built near Navajo, New Mexico. The dam was constructed to provide water for irrigation and to generate electricity. The construction of the Navajo Dam was controversial, as it caused the displacement of many Navajo people and flooded sacred Navajo lands.

In conclusion, Navajo, New Mexico, has a rich and storied history. From the Navajo War and the Long Walk to the establishment of the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Code Talkers, the town has played an important role in many significant historical events. Today, Navajo, New Mexico, remains an important cultural hub for the Navajo people and a popular destination for tourists seeking to learn more about Southwestern history and culture.