CNN.com - Aliens may gain state honors
Sophia Aguilar
Published Apr 12, 2026
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SANTA FE, New Mexico (Reuters) -- E.T.: Phone New Mexico. They may have a little something special for you.
A New Mexico legislator proposed Monday having the state honor all extraterrestrial beings with a special day that will "celebrate and honor all past, present and future extraterrestrial visitors" to New Mexico, the measure reads.
Rep. Dan Foley, a Republican from Roswell, the spot where some say aliens crash-landed more than 50 years ago, said he introduced the legislation to "enhance relationships among all the citizens of the cosmos, known and unknown."
Extraterrestrial Culture Day would be held the second Thursday of February and would honor space travelers from other worlds and even give a nod to creatures made famous in movies, such as E.T. in Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster film by the same name.
In July of each year, thousands of earthly visitors descend on Roswell, the self-appointed alien capital of the world, where many UFO buffs believe an alien craft crash-landed in 1947, based on claims that alien bodies were discovered there.
The town's population of 45,000 doubles and even triples during the week long festival that includes speakers on extraterrestrial life, UFOs and other anomalies such as crop circles.
Foley feels the same excitement -- and economic benefit-- can be spread to the rest of the state by adding a state-sanctioned day of alien celebration.
"If we can capitalize on something that did or did not happen in 1947 then it can help the entire state," Foley said.
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