1. In 1931, Nevada legalized casino gambling, which has since become the cornerstone of the state's economy. Today, Las Vegas alone generates over $25 billion in revenue from casinos each year.

2. The Hoover Dam, one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants, was completed on March 18, 1936. The dam generates electricity for millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, and California.

3. In 1980, the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas was devastated by a massive fire, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds more. The tragedy was one of the deadliest hotel fires in U.S. history.

4. On March 18, 1990, the inaugural Reno Air Races were held at the Reno-Stead Airport in Nevada. The event, which features high-speed, low-altitude aircraft racing, has since become one of the state's most popular attractions.

5. In 2002, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics torch relay passed through Las Vegas on March 18, carrying the torch across the iconic Hoover Dam. The torch was carried by a diverse group of torchbearers, including Olympic athletes, community leaders, and even Elvis Presley impersonators.