1. In 1912, New Mexico officially became the 47th state in the United States. The state was admitted to the union after years of struggling for statehood.

2. On January 5, 1930, the Taos Pueblo was declared a National Historic Landmark. It is the only Native American community to have been recognized as such.

3. In 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first person to play golf on the moon. Shepard, a native of New Mexico, hit two golf balls during the Apollo 14 mission.

4. On this day in 1875, Colfax County was established in New Mexico Territory. The county was named after Schuyler Colfax, who was Vice President of the United States at the time.

5. January 5 is also celebrated as Cabeza de Vaca Day in New Mexico. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer who traveled through what is now New Mexico in the 16th century. He is regarded as one of the first Europeans to explore the Southwest United States.