1. In 1934, the Santa Fe Railroad inaugurated its new "Indian Detour" rail service, which took passengers through Native American reservations in New Mexico and Arizona. The route was designed to promote tourism and cultural understanding.

2. On May 28, 1958, the first flight of the X-15 rocket plane took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The X-15 was designed and built by the Air Force and NASA, but much of its flight testing was done at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

3. In 2004, a group of Navajo language advocates formed the Navajo Language Academy, which works to promote and preserve the Navajo language. The academy holds an annual conference in different locations around the Navajo Nation, including New Mexico.

4. May 28, 1961 marks the annual Memorial Day weekend El Rito Studio Tour in El Rito, New Mexico. This event attracts visitors from around the state and features a self-guided tour of local artists' studios.

5. In 2002, New Mexico was the first state to enact a law allowing residents to designate a "health care proxy" to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated. The law was the result of a long-standing debate about end-of-life care and patient autonomy.