1. In 1909, the first direct primary election in Nevada was held on January 15. Prior to this, political party conventions selected candidates for general elections.
2. On January 15, 1937, work began on Hoover Dam, which would become one of Nevada's most iconic landmarks and a significant source of hydroelectric power for the region.
3. In 2002, the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas caught fire on January 15, causing extensive damage to the building and injuring dozens of people. The fire was caused by an electrical problem in a roof space.
4. On January 15, 1996, the Nevada Statehood Forever stamp was issued by the United States Postal Service. The stamp featured an image of the Nevada state flag and commemorated the state's 125th anniversary of statehood.
5. The first legal sportsbook in a casino opened in Nevada on January 15, 1949, at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. This marked the beginning of a thriving sports betting industry that has become a major part of the state's economy and culture.