1. Nevada becomes the 36th state (1864): On October 28, 1864, Nevada officially became the 36th state of the United States. This followed several decades of political wrangling, with the Territory of Nevada being created during the Civil War as a way to support the Union cause. The state's mining industry played a crucial role in its early development, with silver and gold rushes drawing thousands of prospectors to the region.

2. The dedication of Hoover Dam (1935): On October 28, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Hoover Dam, a massive engineering project that had taken nearly five years to complete. The dam, located on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada, helped to control flooding, generate hydroelectric power, and provide irrigation water for farms in the surrounding area. Today, the dam is a popular tourist attraction, attracting millions of visitors each year.

3. The MGM Grand fire (1980): On October 28, 1980, a fire broke out at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fire, which began in a deli located near the casino, quickly spread through several floors of the hotel. It was one of the deadliest hotel fires in American history, with 85 people losing their lives and hundreds more injured. The tragedy prompted sweeping changes in hotel safety regulations.

4. Nevada's first female governor (2002): On October 28, 2002, Nevada's first female governor, Kenny Guinn, was elected to office. Guinn had previously served as the state's superintendent of public instruction, and went on to serve two terms as governor. During her tenure, she focused on improving education and increasing economic development throughout the state.

5. Record-breaking solar power plant (2016): On October 28, 2016, the final phase of construction was completed on the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, a massive solar power plant located near Tonopah, Nevada. The plant, which covers over 1,500 acres of land, uses concentrated solar power to generate electricity for nearly 75,000 homes. At the time of its completion, it was the largest solar power plant of its kind in the world.