1. On October 7, 1578, Juan de Oñate led an expedition through what is now New Mexico, becoming the first European to set foot in the area. His journey paved the way for future Spanish colonization and exploration in the region.

2. In 1867, New Mexico was officially declared a U.S. territory on October 7, following the end of the Mexican-American War. This gave New Mexico residents access to certain rights and benefits, such as representation in Congress and the ability to purchase public lands.

3. In 1893, the New Mexico School for the Deaf first opened its doors in Santa Fe on October 7. The school rapidly became an important resource for the deaf community, providing education and support to those who were often ostracized by society.

4. On October 7, 1947, the world-famous balloonist, Felix Baumgartner was born in Salzburg, Austria. After immigrating to the United States, he ended up making his home in Roswell, New Mexico, where he would go on to set several records for high-altitude ballooning.

5. In 2011, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off on October 7. This annual event, which draws thousands of spectators and balloon enthusiasts from around the world, features hundreds of hot air balloons taking to the sky in a massive display of color and spectacle.