1. In 1864, Nevada was officially admitted as the 36th state in the United States on December 17th. Known as the "Battle Born State," Nevada supported the Union during the Civil War and was declared a state by President Abraham Lincoln.

2. In 1903, the Taliesin West architectural school and studio was opened in Nevada by the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright on December 17th. The school was founded to teach architecture and foster creativity in future architects.

3. On December 17th, 1928, the Hoover Dam (originally known as the Boulder Dam) began construction in Nevada. The dam, which spans the Colorado River, was completed in 1935 and became a major source of hydroelectric power and water for surrounding areas.

4. In 1979, Nevada was the site of a secret meeting between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in order to negotiate a peace treaty between the two countries. The meeting, held at a Las Vegas resort, was facilitated by US President Jimmy Carter.

5. On December 17th, 1989, the trial began for the infamous "Black Book" case in Nevada. The case revolved around the state's attempts to bar certain individuals from casinos due to suspected ties to organized crime. The case eventually went to the US Supreme Court, which upheld the state's right to regulate gambling.