1. In 1859 on April 20th, the first telegraph line was established in Nevada by the Western Union Telegraph Company. The line connected Virginia City to Sacramento, California.

2. On April 20th, 1864, the U.S. Congress passed an act creating the Territory of Nevada. This act paved the way for Nevada to become the 36th state of the United States on October 31st, 1864.

3. In 1931 on April 20th, the State of Nevada legalized gambling, making it the first state in the United States to do so. This move was motivated by the Great Depression and the need for revenue.

4. On April 20th, 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This legislation prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

5. On April 20th, 2011, a magnitude-5.2 earthquake struck the Reno, Nevada area. The earthquake caused only minor damage but was felt throughout the region. This earthquake serves as a reminder that Nevada is prone to seismic activity due to its location along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada and the Basin and Range Province.