1. In 1846, Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna declared that New Mexico was no longer part of the Mexican Republic, instead proclaiming it an independent republic. This occurred during the Mexican-American War and was ultimately unsuccessful.

2. On July 19, 1878, renowned outlaw Billy the Kid was arrested for the first time in New Mexico, just outside of Silver City. He was subsequently released due to a lack of evidence.

3. In 1910, the Alvarado Hotel opened in Albuquerque. This luxurious hotel was a symbol of the city's growth and prosperity, and it remained a landmark until it was demolished in 1970.

4. On July 19, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was detonated at the Trinity Site in southern New Mexico. This event marked the beginning of the atomic age and had profound implications for national security and global politics.

5. In 2014, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in the state. This decision made New Mexico the 17th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, and it was celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state.