1. In 1830, the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was signed, which allowed the forced removal of Choctaw Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to what is now Oklahoma. This event marks a significant moment in New Mexico history because it was part of a larger trend of Native American displacement, which had lasting impacts on tribal communities and culture.

2. On May 26, 1945, the US Army Air Force conducted the first successful test of an atomic bomb in the Trinity Site, located in the Jornada del Muerto desert. The explosion marked the beginning of the atomic age and had far-reaching consequences for the world.

3. In 1954, the Santa Fe Opera opened its doors for the first time on May 26th. The opera company has since become an important cultural institution in New Mexico, drawing visitors from around the world with its world-class performances and stunning mountain vistas.

4. On May 26, 1996, a major wildfire known as the Johnson Fire broke out in the Gila National Forest. The fire burned for nearly two months, consuming over 140,000 acres of land and causing widespread damage to the forest ecosystem. The fire remains one of the largest wildfires in New Mexico history.

5. In 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in the state, making it the 17th state to do so. The decision reflected a growing cultural shift in the state and marked a significant moment of progress for the LGBTQ+ community.