1. The first St. Patrick's Day parade in Las Vegas took place in 1966. The parade included bagpipers, floats, and marchers dressed in green. It has since become a beloved tradition in the city, with thousands of people attending every year.

2. In 1931, the state of Nevada legalized gambling, forever changing the landscape of the state's economy. Today, Nevada is known as "The Entertainment Capital of the World" and the gambling industry is a major contributor to the state's economy.

3. The Hoover Dam, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, was completed on March 17, 1936. The dam was built on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, and provides electricity to millions of people in the surrounding states.

4. On March 17, 1955, actor and musician Wayne Newton made his debut in Las Vegas at the Fremont Hotel and Casino. Newton would go on to become a fixture in the city's entertainment scene, performing for over 50 years and earning the nickname "Mr. Las Vegas."

5. The Silver State was admitted to the Union on October 31, 1864, but not without controversy over the state's status as a free or slave state. On March 17, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill that officially recognized Nevada's statehood and ended the debate. Today, the state continues to celebrate its birthday on October 31.