1. In 1941, the United States entered World War II after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. New Mexicans were among the many Americans who served in the war effort, with more than 60,000 New Mexicans serving in the armed forces.

2. On December 8, 1868, the Navajo Nation signed a treaty with the United States government after years of conflict, largely over the forced relocation of Navajo people to Bosque Redondo in eastern New Mexico. The treaty established the Navajo Reservation, which is now the largest Indian reservation in the United States.

3. In 1980, the city of Albuquerque broke ground on its popular Old Town Plaza, a hub of cultural events and tourist attractions. The plaza is home to historic adobe buildings, restaurants, art galleries, and shops.

4. December 8th also marks the beginning of the winter holiday season in New Mexico, where traditional luminarias (candles in paper bags) are lit throughout the state. This tradition dates back to the Spanish colonial era and is still celebrated today.

5. In 1994, Taos Pueblo received UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, making it the only living Native American community to receive this honor. Taos Pueblo is recognized for its traditional architecture, which has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years.