1. Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864. However, it was a significant date in the state's history when the first official state holiday, Nevada Day, was celebrated on May 20, 1933. The holiday is celebrated on the last Friday in October and commemorates the state's admission to the Union.

2. May 20, 1913, saw the opening of the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad, which connected the cities of Las Vegas and Tonopah. The railroad helped transport gold and silver from mining operations and contributed to the growth of the state's economy.

3. On May 20, 1970, the infamous MGM Grand fire occurred in Las Vegas. The fire, which started in the hotel's casino, killed 85 people and injured hundreds more. It remains one of the deadliest hotel fires in U.S. history.

4. In 1869, the first ore mill in Nevada was built on May 20, in the town of Eureka. It processed silver and gold ore from nearby mines and helped spark the mining boom that brought settlers to the state.

5. May 20, 1932, marked the opening of the Wingfield Park Amphitheater in Reno. The amphitheater was a popular venue for concerts and performances and helped establish Reno as a cultural hub in the state.