1. On August 8, 1879, the first issue of the Las Vegas Daily Optic was published in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The newspaper would go on to become one of the most influential newspapers in the state and is still in publication today.

2. On August 8, 1913, the first commercial flight in New Mexico took place when a biplane flew from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. The flight took just 40 minutes and marked the beginning of commercial air travel in the state.

3. On August 8, 1949, the first atomic bomb test since the end of World War II took place at the White Sands Proving Ground near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The test, code-named "Ranger," was the first in a series of atmospheric nuclear tests conducted at the site.

4. On August 8, 1961, the New Mexico State Fair opened for the first time at its current location in Albuquerque. The fair has been a beloved annual event in the state ever since, drawing thousands of visitors each year.

5. On August 8, 1974, New Mexico Governor Bruce King signed a bill that established the New Mexico State Park system. Today, the state park system encompasses over 30 parks and historic sites spread throughout the state, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and education.