1. In 1776, Spanish missionary Fray Francisco Atanasio Domínguez passed through New Mexico on his way to California, where he founded several missions. His travels through the region helped to establish a greater understanding of the area's geography and inhabitants.

2. On December 22, 1881, the famous Lincoln County War officially came to an end when Billy the Kid, the notorious outlaw, was captured and sentenced to death. Though he later escaped from jail and remained a wanted man until his eventual death, his capture marked the end of a violent period in New Mexico's history.

3. In 1938, the National Park Service purchased the Carlsbad Caverns, a stunning underground cave system located in southeastern New Mexico. Since then, the Caverns have become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world.

4. The New Mexico State Capitol, located in Santa Fe, was completed on December 22, 1966. The building is notable for its unique design, which blends elements of traditional Pueblo Indian and Spanish Colonial architecture.

5. In 2006, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta set a new world record by launching 964 hot air balloons in a single mass ascent. The event draws hundreds of thousands of spectators each year, making it one of the biggest tourist attractions in the state.