NEW MEXICO — New Mexico officially hit its 110th birthday almost three weeks ago on Thursday, January 6, 2022. This date marks 110 years since New Mexico became a state on January 6, 1912.
Cibola County locals might recognize that year as being featured in the name of a local business known as the 1912 Market. Back when the business opened in August of 2020, the owners explained how the name was a representation of New Mexico pride. New Mexico territory belonged to Mexico before it was given to the United States after the Spanish-American War and the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo in 1848. It was then the Gadsden Purchase, in 1853, that established the size of New Mexico the way it is today. Therefore, the U.S. would have New Mexico as territory for 64 years before they would officially make it the 47th state. Why did it take so long?
Well, for a long time, according to https://viantenm.org/hownew-mexico-became-astate/, “New Mexico faced a major hurdle to become a part of the United States because we were viewed as outsiders.” This was due to the fact that the vast majority of the state seemed foreign, in language, culture, and every other way. New Mexicans essentially had to prove that the territory was worthy of statehood. They would do that with the help of two different groups. First, the Rough Riders, and then, the Buffalo Soldiers.
At the end of the Spanish-American war, a group called the Rough Riders that was formed by Theodore Roosevelt, was pivotal in winning battles that would lead to the end the Spanish-American War. First, they would enter Cuba, win the Battle of San Juan Hill, and then make their way to conquer Kettle Hill, therefore seizing the city of Santiago. According to https://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/Image-Gallery/Historical-Paintings/Heritage-Series/The-Rough-Riders/, the New Mexico troops, titled E and G troops, of the Rough Riders were “among the first to reach the top of Kettle Hill.” The New Mexico Rough Riders’ contributions were essential in ending the Spanish-American War in those battles, with the Spanish surrendering two weeks later.
However, despite these military contributions, New Mexico would still have to prove their worth years later. Towards the end of the American Civil War, another group arose named the Buffalo Soldiers. This was a group of African Americans who were known as pioneers who made efforts to settle the West. When the Buffalo Soldiers made their way to New Mexico, the territory was in rough shape, filled with chaos, internal conflict, and lawlessness. The Buffalo Soldiers were hoping to restore some peace and order to the area. “You can’t underestimate their importance, and they did this in the face of hostility from a lot of high ranking officers who didn’t think that they could kind of pull their weight, but they did,” said Paul Hutton, a Professor from the University of New Mexico History Department, via https://www.krqe.com/news/hidden-history-buffalo-soldiers-played-keyrole-in-settling-new-mexico/amp/.
According to the article, the group made a significant difference in restoring the territory to order and its former potential. “There was also the matter of having to help in settling conflicts associated with outlaws like Billy The Kid in the Lincoln County War. It was this role of proving their bravery in battle which not only set the stage for settling New Mexico, but gaining their due respect and way for future African Americans in the armed forces,” wrote the article. After an attempt to become a state in 1902 failed, President Taft signed the Enabling Act in 1910 to officially help New Mexico become a state. The New Mexico Constitution was created and approved in 1911, and New Mexico finally achieved statehood through a signed Statehood Proclamation by President Taft in 1912. New Mexico inaugurated its first governor, William C. McDonald, shortly after.
Since then, New Mexico has developed a long and interesting history – 110 years of history to be exact – full of culture, trials and tribulations, and perseverance to become what it is today — the Land of Enchantment.