In the 1600s, was established by the spanish as a trading town, and it became the capital of new mexico.

a phrase from a poem by ralph waldo emerson about the battle of lexington and concord. emerson's words read, “here once the embattled farmers stood / and fired the shot heard round the world.”

after defeating german forces in north africa allied leaders turned their attention to "italy," since this was the location that made the most geographic sense before invading northern europe via france.