Bettie: Happy Nevada Day!

[Bettie]

October 31st is Nevada Day - at least, it has been since 1939 when the day that Nevada was admitted into the union was made a state holiday.

Fun Nevada Facts:

Originally part of the Utah Territory, with the southern tip (including Las Vegas), in the Arizona Territory. Granted its own territirial name, Nevada, on March 2, 1861.

Admitted to the union on October 31st, 1864.

State flag includes the words "Battle Born," as NV was admitted to the union in part to help fund the Civil War with its silver mines, and in part to give President Lincoln another nonslave state.

The state bird is the Mountain Bluebird, the state animal is the bighorn sheep, and the state flower is sagebrush. We have 2 state trees - the single-leaf pinion and the bristlecone pine (oldest known living tree species in America).

State titles include: Battle-Born State, Sagebrush State, and Silver State (from the Civil War Comstock lode days).

Nevada is #1 in gold (not silver) production.

Nevada is the 7th largest state with more than 110,500 square miles. (87% of which is owned by the federal government.)

Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake in the state, with 550 miles of shoreline.

Nevada has 49,702 miles of streets and highways, but on 5,429 miles are paved.

Nevada's first secretary of state was Orion Clemens, brother of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain).

Nevada is the state with the most mountain ranges - 314 individual ranges, with 42 summits over 11,000 feet.

Have a great day!

Bettie

[Parker]

Nevada being admitted to the Union on Halloween, that is. :-)

[Hip Hop]