1540 Spanish conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado arrives and claims the land for Spain.
1598 New Mexico becomes an official colony of Spain.
1599 The Spanish establish a settlement near Espanola.
1610 Sante Fe is established as the capital of New Mexico.
1680 The Pueblo people revolt against the Spanish.
1706 The city of Albuquerque is established.
1821 New Mexico becomes a province of Mexico after Mexico declares independence from Spain.
1821 The Santa Fe Trail is opened by William Becknell.
1846 The start of the Mexican-American War.
1846 During the Mexican American War Colonel Stephen Kearny captures Santa Fe without resistance.
1848 The U.S. gains control of New Mexico as a result of winning the Mexican-American War.
1850 The New Mexico Territory is established by the United States.
1862 During the Civil War a Confederate force briefly occupied Sante Fe.
1863 The Long Walk begins as the Navajo are forced to relocate.
1881 The gunfighter Billy the kid is killed by sheriff Pat Garret.
1885 Apache chief Geronimo leads an uprising.
1912 New Mexico is admitted as the 47th state.
1930 Carlsbad Cavern National Park was created.
1945 The first atomic bomb is detonated in New Mexico.
1947 A UFO supposedly crash lands near Roswell.