1. The Battle of Glorieta Pass occurred on July 3, 1862, during the American Civil War. The battle, fought in northern New Mexico, was a key engagement in the New Mexico Campaign and resulted in a Union victory.

2. On July 3, 1915, a train carrying passengers from California to Chicago derailed near Folsom, New Mexico. At least 10 people were killed in the accident, which was caused by a broken rail.

3. In 1947, on July 3, the Roswell Army Air Field announced it had recovered a crashed "flying saucer" on a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. The announcement sparked intense national interest in UFOs and has since become a subject of conspiracy theories and speculation.

4. On July 3, 1969, New Mexico Governor David F. Cargo signed into law the state's first law legalizing the sale of alcohol on Sunday. Prior to the law, the sale of alcohol was prohibited by state law on Sundays.

5. Ruidoso, New Mexico held its first annual Mescalero Apache Tribe Fourth of July Celebration on July 3, 1957. The event has since become one of the region's largest and most popular Fourth of July celebrations, featuring a parade, rodeo, and fireworks display.