History

The real story behind Nevada Day

In 1891, Governor Roswell Colcord signed a bill introduced by Senator Edward D. Boyle of Virginia City making October 31 a judicial holiday.  No court business was to be transacted on "Admission Day."  Both Virginia City and Reno held parades and other festivities.  Other towns in the state seemingly failed to formally recognize Nevada's birthday.  No tradition was in the making.  Between 1891 and 1914 few, if any, communities held observances of Admission Day.

Nevada was still a young state with a highly transient population which may account for the lack of birthday celebrations.  Equally as significant is the fact that Admission Day was not an official state holiday.  Only the courts closed for business on October 31.  In October 1908, the recently organized State Federation of Women's Clubs in Reno passed a resolution calling for a legislative bill to make Admission Day a legal holiday.  Sadly, nothing resulted from the initiative.  If would take the state another 31 years to recognize Nevada's birthday as an official state holiday.

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Site updated February 29, 2008
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