Happy birthday, Vegas

Las Vegas this week celebrates its 120th birthday.

Founded on May 15, 1905, as a small railroad stop in the desert, Las Vegas quickly evolved into a global hub for tourism, entertainment and of course gambling when legalized in 1931

The opening of the Flamingo Hotel was a key turning point in 1946, setting the stage for a new era of excitement.

The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, erected in 1959, became a symbol of the city’s vibrant spirit.

Special Celebration

To celebrate, Sphere’s exterior LED screen – the world’s largest – lit up with its emoji Orbi,.

This week, Orbi has been blowing out birthday candles on marquees across the destination, concluding with special birthday messages on Resorts World Las Vegas and Fremont Street Experience’s Viva Vision.

The Vegas Evolution

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Las Vegas was a mobster’s paradise. The city was far from the reach of most law enforcement, the cash flowed freely, and the oversight was minimal. Names like Bugsy Siegel, Moe Dalitz, Tony “The Ant” Spilotro and Frank Rosenthal were central to Vegas’ underworld scene.

Nuclear testing at the only above-ground nuclear test site helped spark the opportunity to market Las Vegas as a unique tourist destination.

In addition to generating tourism, the Nevada Test Site also brought thousands of military personnel, thousands of jobs, and more than $176 million in federal funds to the region.

Them Elvis, showgirls, and the Rat Pack helped define Las Vegas as a playground for production shows and A-list entertainment in the 1960s, 1970s, and beyond.

The Mirage, opening in 1989, ushered in the megaresort trend that would consume the 1990s. Iconic themed resorts like Luxor Las Vegas, Bellagio Resort & Casino, New York New York Hotel & Casino, Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas were built, turning the Strip into an immersive world of entertainment.

Through the decades, Las Vegas had continued to reinvent itself — from the mega-resorts of the 1990s to the rise of professional sports, including the arrival of the Vegas Golden Knights, the Raiders, Las Vegas Aces, Formula 1, and major events like Super Bowl LVIII and WrestleMania 41.

“Las Vegas’ story is one of bold vision, resilience and boundless imagination,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

“As we celebrate 120 incredible years, we honor the people, partnerships and innovation that have made Las Vegas a place unlike anywhere else.”

More to come

Las Vegas has pulled off one of the most impressive reinventions in modern city history. What was once a place known mostly for cheap eats, slot machines, and showgirls has become a powerhouse for major league sports, big ticket concerts, marquee events, and unique attractions.

Venues like Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena paved the way for sports and opportunity, and Sphere setting a new bar for immersive entertainment.

Vegas can look forward to the College Football Playoff Championship (2027) and the NCAA Men’s Final Four (2028).

In 2028, Major League Baseball will make Las Vegas home with the Athletics at the state-of-the-art 33,000-seat stadium, which will break ground this year.

The reinvention of properties like the historic Mirage—soon to be Hard Rock Hotel & Casino—the $600M Las Vegas Convention Center renovation and expansion, and the continuation of the underground transportation Vegas Loop keep Las Vegas on top.

Take a trip down memory lane with this archival video with clips from marketing videos produced by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

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