1. On July 12, 1917, the U.S. Army established Camp Cody in Deming, New Mexico, as part of its effort to train soldiers for World War I. The camp eventually became one of the largest in the country, with more than 30,000 troops stationed there at its peak.

2. In 1932, the New Mexico State Police were officially organized on July 12. The formation of the force came in response to the increasing lawlessness and violence that plagued the state during the early 20th century.

3. July 12, 1966, marked the opening of the Gila Wilderness in southern New Mexico. The wilderness area, which covers over 558,000 acres of protected land, is recognized as the first designated wilderness area in the United States.

4. On July 12, 1985, an explosion at the Chevron oil refinery in Artesia, New Mexico, killed two workers and injured several others. The incident led to increased scrutiny of safety measures at oil refineries throughout the state.

5. July 12, 2004, saw the unveiling of the "Let's Roll" monument in Farmington, New Mexico, honoring the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 who fought back against terrorists on September 11, 2001. The monument features a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center, as well as a silhouette of a passenger on the plane's wreckage.