1. In 1846, the Battle of Rio San Gabriel took place in what is now Los Angeles, California. However, many of the soldiers involved were from New Mexico, including Captain Manual Antonio Chaves, who led a group of New Mexico volunteers.

2. On December 13, 1910, New Mexico officially became the 47th state in the United States.

3. The New Mexico State Police was founded on December 13, 1935. The state police is responsible for enforcing state laws, protecting the governor, and providing security for state-owned buildings and facilities.

4. The town of Madrone, New Mexico, was struck by a devastating tornado on December 13, 1951. The tornado killed two people and destroyed several homes and buildings in the town.

5. On December 13, 2017, a gunman opened fire at Aztec High School in Aztec, New Mexico, killing two students before taking his own life. The shooting shocked the small, tight-knit community and led to renewed discussions about school safety and gun control.