1. On September 8, 1945, White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico was officially transferred from the War Department to the Atomic Energy Commission, marking the beginning of the testing and development of nuclear weapons in the state.

2. The Santa Fe Fiesta, a celebration of the city's Spanish heritage, has been held annually since 1712. On September 8, 1912, the Fiesta was celebrated for the first time as a state holiday, coinciding with New Mexico's admission to the Union.

3. On September 8, 1906, the New Mexico State Fair opened in Albuquerque for the first time. The fair has continued annually since then, featuring livestock competitions, rodeos, and carnival rides, among other attractions.

4. In 1679, Spanish explorer and Franciscan friar Alonso de Benavides led an expedition through what is now New Mexico, seeking to establish new missions and expand Spanish influence in the region. On September 8 of that year, he reached the Pueblo of Zuni, where he established a mission and remained for several months.

5. On September 8, 1974, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra held its first concert at the Convention Center in Albuquerque. The orchestra has since become a major cultural institution in the state, performing regularly and collaborating with other musical groups and soloists.