As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions nor a point of view. However, here are five interesting facts about August 31 in New Mexico history:

1. In 1870, the New Mexico penitentiary was established in Santa Fe. It was one of the oldest prisons in the United States until it was permanently closed and demolished in 1998.

2. In 1881, the first railway connecting Santa Fe and Denver was completed. The railway helped to connect New Mexico with the rest of the country and contributed to the state's economic growth.

3. In 1910, New Mexico State University (NMSU) was founded, although it was initially called the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. NMSU is now one of the largest universities in the state.

4. In 1945, the Bataan Death March Memorial Monument was dedicated in Santa Fe. The monument honors the American and Filipino soldiers who died during the Bataan Death March in World War II.

5. In 1969, the Santa Fe Opera House opened its doors for the first time. The opera house is located in the mountains outside of Santa Fe and has become a popular cultural destination in New Mexico, attracting visitors from all over the world.