1. On August 21, 1861, the Battle of Dry Creek took place in Nevada during the American Civil War. A Union force of about 900 men defeated a Confederate force of approximately 500 men.

2. August 21, 1908, marked the first day of construction on the Hoover Dam. The dam, located on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, helped to control flooding and provide hydroelectric power.

3. In 1959, on August 21, Nevada became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution, which repealed Prohibition and allowed for the legal sale of alcohol.

4. On August 21, 1986, an F2 tornado touched down in the town of Wells, Nevada. The twister caused damage to several buildings and vehicles, but fortunately there were no reported injuries or fatalities.

5. In 2017, on August 21, a total solar eclipse passed over parts of Nevada. Hundreds of thousands of people traveled to the state to witness the rare event, which lasted for several minutes and could be seen in areas such as Reno, Carson City, and Elko.