History of Nevada Day
Nevada Day is officially on Oct 31. However, the day has been celebrated on the correct day only three times in the current millennium: 2003, 2008, and 2014.
The next time Nevada Day will be celebrated on the "right" day is 2025. This year we celebrated Nevada day on October 27.
But, why is this the case?
Nevada became the 36th state in the union on October 31, 1864, just in time to provide enough votes to get Abraham Lincoln reelected. The state was admitted to the union after telegraphing its constitution to the US capital on Halloween of 1864. Admission Day was commemorated before the state legislature changed its name to Nevada Day in 1933. They also made it a holiday.
Declaring it a state holiday meant that students could have a day off as well as state workers. Seventy years later, another crop of legislators were tired of celebrating Halloween and Nevada Day together. Proponents of the change argue that putting the celebration on a Friday allowed a three-day weekend. They put it to an advisory ballot initiative that was overwhelmingly supported by Nevadans.
So, the Nevada State Legislature voted to change the day’s celebration to the last Friday of October. However, it was against the state’s traditions. But to keep its history, the official Nevada Day remains on October 31st, and only the celebrations are on the last Friday of the month. The change in celebration implies that in most cases, the celebration will always be earlier and rarely on the exact date as the official holiday. This change occurred in 2000 and has been the tradition ever since.
Nevada Day celebrations feature parades, festivals, and spirited events to celebrate not only admission to the union but also the state's early history and Native American culture. Nevada Day Parade in Carson City is the largest state parade and has been celebrated since 1931.
Additionally, several bars and restaurants organize events and festivals that feature live music, food, and vendors. While there will be intrigue on why the state chose to celebrate its admission to the union, the pomp, celebration, and festivities are something anyone can admire.
The next time Nevada Day will be celebrated on the "right" day is 2025. This year we celebrated Nevada day on October 27.
But, why is this the case?
Creation of Nevada Day
Nevada became the 36th state in the union on October 31, 1864, just in time to provide enough votes to get Abraham Lincoln reelected. The state was admitted to the union after telegraphing its constitution to the US capital on Halloween of 1864. Admission Day was commemorated before the state legislature changed its name to Nevada Day in 1933. They also made it a holiday.
Declaring it a state holiday meant that students could have a day off as well as state workers. Seventy years later, another crop of legislators were tired of celebrating Halloween and Nevada Day together. Proponents of the change argue that putting the celebration on a Friday allowed a three-day weekend. They put it to an advisory ballot initiative that was overwhelmingly supported by Nevadans.
So, the Nevada State Legislature voted to change the day’s celebration to the last Friday of October. However, it was against the state’s traditions. But to keep its history, the official Nevada Day remains on October 31st, and only the celebrations are on the last Friday of the month. The change in celebration implies that in most cases, the celebration will always be earlier and rarely on the exact date as the official holiday. This change occurred in 2000 and has been the tradition ever since.
The Celebration
Nevada Day celebrations feature parades, festivals, and spirited events to celebrate not only admission to the union but also the state's early history and Native American culture. Nevada Day Parade in Carson City is the largest state parade and has been celebrated since 1931.
Additionally, several bars and restaurants organize events and festivals that feature live music, food, and vendors. While there will be intrigue on why the state chose to celebrate its admission to the union, the pomp, celebration, and festivities are something anyone can admire.