1. In 1931, the construction of the Hoover Dam, which would go on to help transform Nevada's economy, was officially initiated on August 2.

2. On August 2, 1861, Captain Joseph Stewart and his 200-strong regiment of Union soldiers arrived in Virginia City, Nevada, marking the beginning of the Union occupation of the state during the American Civil War.

3. In 1953, Nevada became the first U.S. state to legalize gambling, passing Assembly Bill 98 into law on August 2. This move helped to establish the state's reputation as a major gambling destination.

4. On August 2, 1985, Las Vegas mogul and infamous mobster Benny Binion, who had founded the Horseshoe Casino, died in Dallas, Texas. Binion was known for his colorful personality and influence on Las Vegas' gambling industry.

5. In 1864, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Nevada Statehood Bill, officially granting statehood to Nevada. August 2 is now celebrated annually in the state as Nevada Statehood Day.