1. On June 26, 1978, the National Hispanic Cultural Center was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The center is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Hispanic culture and heritage in the United States.

2. In 1846, U.S. troops under the command of General Stephen W. Kearny arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and claimed the territory for the United States. This event marked the beginning of the Mexican-American War.

3. On June 26, 1954, the University of New Mexico awarded an honorary degree to Georgia O'Keeffe, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. O'Keeffe lived and worked in New Mexico for many years and her iconic paintings of the state's landscapes and flowers are well known around the world.

4. On this day in 1880, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway completed the construction of the Belen Cutoff, a major railroad line that connected Albuquerque to Belen, New Mexico. The line opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce in the state and helped to establish Albuquerque as a major transportation hub in the Southwest.

5. In 1967, the New Mexico State Fair Commission approved plans for the construction of a new grandstand at the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The grandstand would eventually become known as Tingley Coliseum and has hosted many events over the years, including concerts, rodeos, and sporting events.