Editorial: Silver State hasn’t ignored its history

Sunday, Oct. 31, 1999 | 10:16 a.m.

In our fast-paced world a premium is placed on the future -- whether it's the opening of another hotel-casino on the Strip or the latest housing development -- so sometimes the past gets ignored. Fortunately in Nevada, at least once a year we look back on our roots, celebrating our admission to the union with a state holiday.

Today marks the 135th anniversary of Nevada statehood (although the state holiday is observed on Monday because Oct. 31 falls on Sunday this year). Nevada's admission came at a pivotal moment in our nation's history, because in 1864 the United States still was fighting the Civil War. So it shouldn't be surprising that the Silver State's motto is "Battle Born."

Much has changed in those years -- Clark County didn't even exist at the time of statehood. While Nevada has blossomed into an international gaming powerhouse, and is trying to find ways to expand even more, it's healthy to set aside a day to mark our modest beginnings -- in extraordinary times -- 135 years ago.

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