Editorial: Nevada Day takes place today — really

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 | 8:45 a.m.

Nevada Day was officially observed as a state holiday on Friday, but it actually was 137 years ago today, on Oct. 31, 1864, that Nevada was admitted into the Union. The state's motto, "Battle Born," reflects Nevada's pride in becoming a state during the Civil War. Lore has it that Nevada's gold and silver production were needed by the Union, thus paving the way for statehood. But as state historian Guy Rocha reminds us, Nevada's importance as a state in the war effort was minimal: Not only did the Union already have access to these precious minerals, but the war also was winding down in 1864.

President Lincoln pushed for Nevada's admission as a state for a less romantic reason: politics. But that doesn't mean Nevada's birth was any less noble. Lincoln wanted another friendly state to help secure his re-election, which enabled him to enact some of the most important matters in our nation's history -- constitutional amendments that would abolish slavery and provide voting rights for all men.

Nevada's role in U.S. history, otherwise, admittedly has been limited, given our relative youth and small population. In many respects, though, Nevada created its own history in the 1990s. Although the state's tourism-based economy has had its share of its ups and downs, the last decade saw an incredible expansion as megaresorts sprouted everywhere in Las Vegas. Nevada led the nation in population growth during the 1990s. Our economy has taken a tumble this year following the terrorist attacks, but if our past is any guide, the "Battle Born" state has the resiliency to overcome this setback and make the rest of the nation sit up and take notice once again.