What major event took place in New Mexico during World War II?

The establishment of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos was a pivotal event in New Mexico during World War II, marking the site where the United States conducted research and development for the atomic bomb. In 1942, the U.S. government selected Los Alamos as the primary laboratory for this secret project, which played a critical role in the outcome of the war. The scientific community, including some of the leading physicists of the time, was brought together to work on this groundbreaking initiative, ultimately leading to the first successful test of a nuclear weapon in July 1945 in New Mexico, known as the Trinity Test. The ramifications of the project not only impacted the course of the war but also significantly influenced international relations and the future of warfare.

While the other choices present significant historical events, they do not directly relate to New Mexico's unique contributions during World War II. The Battle of the Bulge, for example, occurred in Europe and was one of the largest battles fought by American forces, while the internment of Japanese Americans, although a significant wartime action, primarily took place in other parts of the United States. The formation of the New Mexico National Guard predates World War II and is not a specific wartime event unique to that era