1. In 1824, the American trader, William Becknell, entered New Mexico on February 9 with the first commercial wagon train from Missouri. This route would later become known as the Santa Fe Trail, bringing increased trade to the region.

2. On February 9, 1847, during the Mexican-American War, General Stephen Watts Kearny arrived in Santa Fe and claimed New Mexico for the United States without any bloodshed.

3. In 1863, on this day, Union forces under the command of Colonel John Chivington defeated a group of Southern sympathizers in the Battle of Valverde near Fort Craig.

4. 1920 saw a historical verdict on February 9, when New Mexico became the first state to extend voting rights to Native Americans.

5. February 9, 2006, marked the beginning of a three-day storm that blanketed much of northern New Mexico and caused some of the worst traffic accidents in state history. Over 70 vehicles were involved, and three people lost their lives.