By CHARLIE COOPER
US Government/US History Teacher, MVHS

Every year everyone gets excited for Halloween. Seeing the kids dressed as ghosts and goblins, knocking on doors and yelling “Trick or Treat!” brings back memories of when we were young. The fun and the excitement take hold of us, and it brings us joy and happiness in the process.

Are we as happy about other things, say…the birth of the state of Nevada? Many do not know, or have tuned out the fact, that Halloween is also Nevada Day, or the celebration of the day that Nevada joined the Union. On that day in 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed the order that accepted Nevada’s constitution and welcomed it into the fold of the United States.

I will be honest. I grew up loving Halloween. And back when we celebrated Nevada Day on Oct. 31, I thought it was amazing that we got Halloween off every year. I thought Halloween was a national holiday. When I found out it was not, I was a little dejected. My attitude changed over the years as I have grown up and lived in what I think is the greatest state in the United States. With all of its flaws and struggles (and gambling), I hold this state dear to my heart.

Like Halloween, the state of Nevada has gone through many changes that make it what it is today. Since its early days, its population, territorial size and traditions have grown. Its story is not a simple one, and Nevada has gone through many struggles to become dear to many living within its borders. Nonetheless, to fully understand Nevada, one must know its history. So let me share some details on the journey to statehood of the “Battle Born” state.

Before this area became a territory of the United States, the land was owned and controlled by Mexico. Before that, many Native American tribes called this area theirs. That would change in 1847-1848 when the United States and Mexico started the Mexican-American War. The prevailing philosophy of Manifest Destiny and the desire to spread America’s power and territorial acquisition led to what is now the American Southwest being acquired by the United States. With the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hídalgo, the United States forced Mexico to surrender the entire Southwest territory for the sum of $15 million.

Even as America gained the Southwest area from the war, most of it was claimed as the territory of Deseret by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Deseret took up most of the American Southwest and would be whittled down by the U.S. government. And so, Nevada would grow from a land that had a large population of Native Americans, a few citizens from Mexico and small settlements of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into a territory and, later, to a state.

Now, I do not mean to ramble on about Nevada’s path to statehood, and I do not mean to be tedious. Suffice it to say that it was a rocky road. Nevada would be formed out of land claimed by Utah and, over the years, the Nevada area would continue to acquire property carved out of the Utah territory. This was due in part to the United States government’s efforts to reduce the territorial holdings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their state of Deseret.

When Nevada finally had the land and population to become a state, a constitution was written and submitted to the United States for admission. There was an urgency in getting Nevada added to the Union as the United States was embroiled in a civil war, and President Abraham Lincoln wanted Nevada’s silver and gold resources to aid the North in the struggle. So, Nevada’s entire constitution was telegraphed to Washington, D.C.

“The entire 16,543-word document was sent by telegrapher to stations in Chicago, then to Philadelphia and on to the U.S. Military Telegraph of the War Department in Washington two days later. The cost was $4,303.27. It was the longest telegraph sent up to that time. It was costly, but the hard-earned prize well deserved the exulting gesture. A weary President gave it his approval, and, on October 31, 1864, he issued the following proclamation, declaring Nevada admitted as the 36th member of the United States of America.”

 

By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation

WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States passed and Act, which was approved on the 21st day of March last, entitled “An Act to enable the people of Nevada to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States:

And whereas, the said Constitution and State Government have been formed, pursuant to the conditions prescribed by the fifth section of the Act of Congress aforesaid, and the certification required by the said Act, and also a copy of the Constitution and ordinances, have been submitted to the President of the United States;

Now, therefore, be it known, that I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, in accordance with the duty imposed on me by the Act of Congress aforesaid, do hereby declare and proclaim that the said State of Nevada is admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States. In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.

(L.S.)

Abraham Lincoln

By the President:

William H. Seward, Secretary of State

(From “A Political History of Nevada,” 2006, 11th edition, issued by Dean Heller, Secretary of State, State Printing Office, Carson City, Nevada, 2006, p. 108.)

 

So, on Oct. 31, Nevada officially became a state, started with only two counties, Carson and Humboldt. Nevada would gain additional land from parts of the Utah Territory. Yet, Nevada was still not the state that it is today.

Two years after it joined the Union, Nevada’s eastern border would be extended to its current boundary, taking the western edges of Box Elder, Toole, Millard, Beaver, Iron and Washington Counties from the Utah Territory. In 1867, Nevada would grow one final time as it gained land from the northwestern territory of Arizona. Parts of Arizona’s Pah-Ute and Mohave Counties would be added to Nevada, creating what is now Clark County, which would go on to become the most populated area in the state. The Battle Born state that evolved during the Antebellum and Civil War times has become the state we enjoy and love.

So, Oct. 31 is a day to celebrate Nevada’s entrance as a full-fledged state among the many states of the United States of America. Nevada Day was first celebrated in the 1870s and recognized early on as a state holiday. Stores, schools and local businesses would be closed to honor and recognize that day. The holiday was made official by the Nevada Legislature in 1933. Nevada Day was originally intended to be celebrated Oct. 31. However, in 2000, Nevada Day was moved to the last Friday in October to give Nevadans a three-day weekend. (And my childhood hopes of having Halloween off were shattered!) Up until the year 2000, so as not to conflict with the Nevada holiday, Halloween was observed on Oct 30. in various northern Nevada counties. That is no longer a problem, as it is rare that Nevada Day is celebrated on the actual day of Oct. 31. This year will be a special treat for us, as Nevada Day will be celebrated on its birthday!

Some areas of Nevada celebrate Nevada Day in style with parades and celebrations, such as Carson City, Las Vegas and Henderson. In the Carson City area, a local newspaper puts clues on its website throughout October that focus on Nevada history. Readers follow the clues and search for a prize. The one that discovers the treasure, or a golden plaque/medallion, can redeem it for $1,000! I love the enthusiasm and celebrations of the day that celebrates our state.

Overall, how we observe Nevada Day is not important. Everybody celebrates in their own way or tradition. It is just meaningful that we remember Nevada Day in tribute to those who labored for Nevada statehood.

Nevada’s beginnings and evolution are an amazing story of hardship and determination. Its entire story cannot be told in one small article, but one can read and learn about the events that led to its creation. To truly understand Nevada’s history, one must dive deeper into its story. Only then can the reader appreciate all the effort and labor that went into its formation.

So, I return to where I began. As we celebrate the ghosts and goblins of Halloween, I hope that we can take a moment to remember and appreciate the wonderful state in which we live. It may not be perfect, but it is our home and the place where we raise our families. I will remember Nevada Day and post the Nevada state flag on my flagpole in my yard. It will more than likely be ignored by passersby and trick or treaters. Nonetheless, I will hold it dear to my heart in celebration of this special day. I just hope there are more out there who will be as passionate about it as I am!

Much of the history that comes from this article was taken from “A Political History of Nevada,” 2006, 11th Edition, issued by Dean Heller, Secretary of State. State Printing Office, Carson City, Nevada, 2006, and “A Political History of Nevada,” 2018, 12th Edition, issued by Barbara K. Cegavske, Secretary of State. State Printing Office, Carson City, Nevada, 2018.