Nevada Day
Nevada Day is a state holiday for the state of Nevada in the U.S. that is celebrated on an annual basis. This holiday commemorates the state’s entry into the Union as the thirty-sixth state on October 31, 1864, and also celebrates the state’s frontier legacy. This holiday used to be celebrated on October 31st, the date of the state’s admission into the Union, but it was moved in 2000. Instead, this holiday is now celebrated on the final Friday in October. However, this holiday did coincide with Halloween in 2003, 2008, and 2014.
United States (State holiday) - NevadaHistory of Nevada Day
From just about its inception into the Union until the year 2000, Nevada Day had been celebrated on October 31st. However, in 2000, the Nevada State Legislature decided that the holiday should always be celebrated on a Friday. That’s because a three-day long holiday weekend is more likely to bring tourists into the state and would generate a lot more interest in the holiday. As a result, they voted to change Nevada Day to the final Friday in October.
Facts About Nevada
- Nevada was named after the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
- Nevada was the second state added to the Union during the Civil War.
- From 1951 to 1992, over 900 nuclear tests were conducted at the Nevada Test Site.
- Nevada is the largest gold-producing state in America.
- Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other city on Earth.
- This state is home to over 300 mountain ranges.
- This state is home to more than 300 natural hot springs.
- Nevada is the only U.S. state where prostitution is legally regulated.
Official Nevada State Symbols
- Official State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
- Nevada State Capital: Carson City
- Official State Flower: Sagebrush
- Official State Fish: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
- Official State Fossil: Ichthyosaur
- Official State Tree: Single-Leaf Piñon and Bristlecone Pine
- Official State Reptile: Desert Tortoise
Nevada Day Customs & Traditions
Nevada Day is a state holiday, which means that some banks, schools, and businesses are closed in Nevada on this day. However, some banks do remain open but close their branches early. While parades and other celebrations happen across the state of Nevada, there is a particular concentration of them in Carson City. In this city, there is a huge parade that has been held since the 1930s, and there are a number of events on this day. Events include sporting events, concerts, a rock drilling contest, and even a contest that judges who has the best beard.
United States (State holiday) - Nevada
