New Mexico History from 1973 - 1982

In a decade not known for national glory, New Mexico experienced a surge of creativity and achievements.
Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima (1972) is perhaps the most famous novel ever written about Hispanic culture in the Southwest.  John Nicols's Milagro Beanfield War (1974) described the struggle to preserve the Hispanic lifestyle against modern development and personal greed.  R.C. Gorman's paintings made him one of the most recognized young Indian artists in the country.
The Unser family have won no fewer than nine Indianapolis 500 races, including four in the 1970's alone.  In 1978, three new Mexicans - Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman, became the first team to fly across the Atlantic in a gas balloon.
On the other side, the Watergate scandal rocked the nation; New Mexico Senator Joseph Montoya became nationally known as a member of the investigating committee whose scrutiny ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation.  Closer to home, a scandal involving the recruitment of basketball players to the University of New Mexico led to convictions in what will forever be known as Lobogate.  It would take years for UNM's basketball program to recover.

Taken from New Mexico Magazine.