1. New Mexico Became a State on July 4, 1912
On July 4, 1912, New Mexico officially became the 47th state in the United States of America. The territory, which had been under the control of the federal government since 1846, was home to a diverse population of Native Americans, Mexicans, and immigrants from Europe and Asia.

2. The Santa Fe Opera House Opened on July 4, 1957
One of the most notable cultural institutions in New Mexico, the Santa Fe Opera House opened on July 4, 1957. The open-air venue, which is located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, has become known for its stunning productions of opera and musical theater.

3. The Trinity Test Occurred on July 16, 1945
Though not directly related to July 4, the Trinity test had a profound impact on the history of New Mexico. On July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated at the Trinity site near Alamogordo. The test was a crucial milestone in the development of the atomic bomb and ushered in a new era of warfare.

4. The Roswell UFO Incident Occurred in July 1947
While the exact date of the Roswell UFO incident remains a matter of debate, many believe that it occurred in the first few days of July 1947. For years, conspiracy theorists have claimed that the US government covered up the sighting of a crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft in the area.

5. The Spanish Conquest Began in July 1540
In July 1540, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado led a group of Spanish explorers into what is now New Mexico in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. Though they did not find the riches they were looking for, the expedition played a key role in the gradual conquest and colonization of the region by the Spanish.