1. In 1866, the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad began operating in Nevada, connecting the cities of Virginia City and Carson City. The railroad played a crucial role in the transportation of silver and gold from Nevada's mines to the rest of the country.

2. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Taylor Grazing Act into law, which regulated grazing on public lands, including those in Nevada. The act helped to prevent overgrazing and manage the use of natural resources in the state.

3. In 1962, Nevada became the site of one of the most iconic nuclear tests in history, when the U.S. government conducted the Operation Sunbeam test. The test involved detonating a nuclear bomb in the atmosphere above the Nevada desert, producing an impressive and terrifying mushroom cloud.

4. In 1997, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the town of Wells, Nevada, causing significant damage to homes and businesses. Despite the damage, there were no fatalities or serious injuries reported from the quake.

5. In 2009, the Nevada legislature approved a bill legalizing gay marriage in the state. While the law was eventually struck down by a judge, it represented a significant step forward in the fight for marriage equality in the U.S.