1. In 1862, Confederate forces under General Henry H. Sibley defeated Union troops led by Colonel Edward Canby in the Battle of Peralta. This was one of the few Civil War battles fought in New Mexico Territory.

2. In 1872, the first train arrived in Las Vegas, New Mexico, marking the beginning of a new era of transportation and commerce for the region.

3. In 1905, the first automobile race in New Mexico took place in Albuquerque, with a total of 12 contestants. The winner, Ross Dudley, completed the 50-mile course in just over an hour.

4. In 1946, the first atomic bomb test after World War II took place at the Trinity Site near Alamogordo. The test was conducted by scientists from the Manhattan Project, including J. Robert Oppenheimer.

5. In 1977, the Santa Fe Opera House officially opened for its 21st season. Located just north of Santa Fe, the outdoor theater has become known for its stunning performances and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.