1. In 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state in the U.S. after being a territory for 62 years. The statehood proclamation was signed by President William Howard Taft on January 6th, but it wasn't until January 9th that it officially took effect and New Mexico became the "Land of Enchantment."

2. On January 9, 1847, during the Mexican-American War, U.S. troops led by General Stephen Kearny entered New Mexico's capital, Santa Fe, without opposition. Kearny, who had promised New Mexico's citizens that they would "enjoy the same liberties and privileges as the citizens of the United States," established a civil government and declared himself the military governor.

3. In 1874, Charles Goodnight, a legendary cattleman and trailblazer, arrived in New Mexico and established a ranch near the Texas-New Mexico border. Goodnight is credited with developing the first prototype for the modern cattle drive, and his legacy continues to influence the ranching industry in New Mexico and beyond.

4. On January 9, 1952, the first commercial nuclear power plant in the world, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, went online in Pennsylvania. This event had significant implications for New Mexico, which is home to several national laboratories involved in nuclear weapons research and development. New Mexico's role in the nuclear industry has been a controversial topic for decades, with some arguing that it has brought valuable jobs and economic growth, while others are concerned about the environmental and health risks associated with nuclear energy.

5. In 2005, artist and entrepreneur Bobbi Mastrangelo unveiled her unique art installation, "Grate Works of Art," in Albuquerque. The exhibit, which featured Mastrangelo's casts and sculptures of manhole covers and storm drains, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of infrastructure and urban planning. Mastrangelo's work has been displayed in galleries and public spaces around the world, and she continues to inspire other artists and community activists to use unconventional materials and themes in their creative projects.