1. The Las Vegas Strip's first casino, El Rancho Vegas, opened on July 27, 1941. The hotel and casino cost $500,000 to build and caused a sensation in the entertainment world. Several Hollywood celebrities, including Clark Gable and Charley McCarthy, attended the grand opening.

2. On July 27, 1861, Union and Confederate forces clashed in the Battle of Roanoke Island, North Carolina, during the American Civil War. Nevada's two U.S. senators, James W. Nye and William M. Stewart, introduced a resolution soon after that declared "the rebellion must be put down" and supported President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to do so.

3. The town of Fallon was incorporated on July 27, 1908. The city is named after Michael Fallon, a western surveyor who helped lay out the original townsite. Fallon is known for its natural hot springs, agriculture, and military base.

4. Fire destroyed the Reno city hall and courthouse on July 27, 1909. The blaze began in a nearby store and quickly spread to the government buildings, which were completely gutted. The loss prompted the city to improve its fire protection services.

5. The Hoover Dam, which straddles the Arizona-Nevada border, was dedicated on July 27, 1935. Thousands of people attended the ceremony, which featured speeches, music, and fireworks. The dam's construction provided jobs and helped to spur economic growth in the region.