1. Billy the Kid escaped from the Lincoln County Courthouse on September 2, 1881. The infamous outlaw had been on trial for murder but managed to kill two of his guards and flee the scene.

2. The first game of the University of New Mexico football team was played on September 2, 1892. They defeated the Albuquerque High School team with a score of 5-0.

3. The New Mexico State Fair opened on September 2, 1938, and has been held annually ever since. The fair showcases the state's agriculture, crafts, and cultural heritage with livestock shows, carnival rides, and art exhibits.

4. In 1953, the first atom bomb test was conducted at the Nevada Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The mushroom cloud was visible from Albuquerque, and many residents were exposed to radiation without their knowledge or consent.

5. On September 2, 1983, the New Mexico State Penitentiary Riot began. Over 36 hours, inmates took control of the prison, killing 33 other prisoners and injuring more than 200. The riot was sparked by overcrowding, poor living conditions, and grievances with the prison system.