History

The real story behind Nevada Day

Carson City's Nevada Day parade and celebrations is among the oldest ongoing parade activities held in the Silver State, and, with the exception of Hawaii and West Virginia, is the only admission day activity of its kind in the country.

Regarding the inaugural parade in 1938, the Daily Appeal claimed the event was "Nevada's largest and best Admission Day celebration in the history of the state."  Celebrating Nevada Day in Carson City is a long time-honored tradition, but the history on commemorating our statehood predates the 1938 parade by more than 60 years.

The first observance of Nevada's admission to the Union in 1864 appears to have been initiated on the Comstock by the Pacific Coast Pioneer society in the 1870s.  Journalist Alfred Doten of the Gold Hill News mentions a "grand celebration" in 1873 in his diaries.  The Pioneer society held a sumptuous banquet on October 31, 1889, in honor of Nevada's 25th anniversary as the 36th state.  There may have been other commemorative events outside the Comstock but the state of Nevada did not officially recognize its birthday until two years later.

History:
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Site updated February 29, 2008
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