1. On April 28, 1862, Confederate troops led by General Henry Sibley were defeated by Union forces at the Battle of Valverde during the Civil War. This was a significant battle in New Mexico's role in the war and marked a turning point in the struggle for control of the Southwest.

2. The 28th of April, 1882 saw the birth of Olaus Murie in Moorhead, Minnesota, arguably one of the most important conservationists in New Mexico's history. He is known for conducting some of the first definitive studies on wolves in the wild, and his work on behalf of the wildlife of New Mexico is still a guiding force in the state's conservation efforts to this day.

3. On April 28, 1937, the Gila Wilderness Area was established, becoming the nation's first wilderness area. The area is located in southwest New Mexico and encompasses over 750,000 acres, providing a home to a variety of wildlife and a unique landscape.

4. In 1951, New Mexico State University (NMSU) was officially designated as a land-grant institution by the U.S. Congress. This designation helped to establish NMSU's commitment to providing accessible education and opportunities for research and innovation.

5. April 28, 1988, marked the dedication of the VLA (Very Large Array) radio telescope, located near Socorro, New Mexico. The telescope consists of 27 individual radio antennas, each with a diameter of 82 feet, and is used for cutting-edge astronomical research. Its unique appearance and significant contributions to space exploration have made it a popular destination for tourists and scientists alike.