1. Nevada became the 36th state in the United States on October 31, 1864. The state is known for its gaming industry, with Las Vegas being a major tourist destination for gambling and entertainment.

2. On August 31, 1864, a group of Paiute Indians attacked a wagon train in Pyramid Lake, Nevada. The incident, known as the Pyramid Lake War, resulted in the deaths of 76 people and marked a turning point in the conflict between Native Americans and settlers in the region.

3. August 31, 1907, saw the founding of the University of Nevada, Reno. The university is now the flagship institution of the Nevada System of Higher Education and has over 21,000 students enrolled in various undergraduate and graduate programs.

4. In 1937, the Hoover Dam, located on the Colorado River at the Nevada-Arizona border, was completed. The dam, which provides hydroelectric power and controls flooding in the region, was a major engineering feat at the time of its construction and remains a major tourist attraction today.

5. August 31, 1958, marked the opening of the Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The casino, which was owned by mobster Frank Rosenthal and his associates, was a major player in the Las Vegas gaming industry until it was demolished in 2007. The site is now the location of the Resorts World Las Vegas casino.