1. Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864, but September 9 marks an important date in the lead-up to statehood. On this day in 1850, the United States Congress approved the creation of the Nevada Territory, which included parts of present-day Utah, California, and Arizona.

2. The infamous Area 51, a classified United States Air Force facility located in the Nevada desert, was officially established on September 9, 1955 as a testing site for the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. The base has since become a hotspot for conspiracy theories and speculation about extraterrestrial activity.

3. Reno, the third most populous city in Nevada, was founded on September 9, 1868. Originally a small railroad town, Reno eventually grew into a resort hub known for its casinos and nightlife.

4. In 1999, a large forest fire broke out in the Lake Tahoe region of Nevada, causing widespread damage and forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The fire, which was sparked by lightning on September 9, ultimately burned over 13,000 acres.

5. On September 9, 2004, the Nevada Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in favor of same-sex couples seeking the right to marry. Although the decision was eventually overturned by a ballot measure, it paved the way for future legal challenges to discriminatory marriage laws in the state.