1. Hoover Dam was completed on September 12, 1935. The dam was built on the Colorado River and was the largest in the world at the time of its completion. It continues to provide hydroelectric power and irrigation for the surrounding areas.

2. The deadliest hotel fire in the history of the United States occurred on September 12, 1980, at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. The fire started in a restaurant and quickly spread throughout the building, killing 85 people and injuring more than 700 others.

3. On September 12, 1955, Las Vegas became the first city in the United States to have a nuclear reactor. The reactor was built by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and was used for research purposes.

4. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) was founded on September 12, 1957. The university has grown into a leading research institution and is home to more than 30,000 students.

5. In 1985, a group of Nevada civilians and National Guardsmen broke the Guinness World Record for the longest nonstop team relay race. The race covered more than 2,500 miles across the state of Nevada and lasted for 40 hours and 57 minutes. The record still stands today.