Head over to NewMexiKen’s for the story of the conquest of New Mexico (a continuing saga of 13,000 years or so):
New Mexico officially became part of the United States 164 years ago today when 1,600 troops under General Stephen Watts Kearny raised the American flag over the plaza in the Royal City of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis (Santa Fe), reportedly as the sun broke through the overcast sky. There had been little or no resistance. (It came at Taos the following January.)
August 18. Gen. Kearney proceeded through the pass and at 5 pm reached hill that overlooks Santa Fe. …