1. On November 4, 1916, New Mexico became the 47th state in the United States. This followed a long campaign for statehood that began in the late 1800s.

2. In 1881, the famous outlaw Billy the Kid was shot and killed by lawman Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. While this did not happen on November 4 specifically, it is an important event in New Mexico history that occurred in early July.

3. On November 4, 1952, New Mexico native Dennis Chavez became the first person of Hispanic descent to win a seat in the United States Senate. Chavez served in the Senate for over 20 years and was a vocal advocate for civil rights and labor rights throughout his career.

4. In 2000, the presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was a hotly contested race that was ultimately decided by a few hundred votes in the state of Florida. However, it is often forgotten that the election also had major implications for New Mexico, where Bush won by less than 400 votes.

5. New Mexico is home to several famous cultural landmarks, including the ancient ruins of Chaco Canyon and the Taos Pueblo, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. While these sites are significant to New Mexico history throughout the year, November 4 could be a good time to plan a visit in honor of the state's anniversary.