New Mexico became the 47th state admitted to the United States when President William Taft signed the New Mexico statehood bill on January 6, 1912. The area that is New Mexico today was claimed by Spain in the 16th century, became part of Mexico in 1821, and was ceded to the United States in 1848 as the Mexican–American War ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. From 1848 to 1912, it was part of the New Mexico Territory.

The Roadrunner is New Mexico’s state bird; Yucca is the state flower.