Las Vegas Celebrates 120 Years of Iconic History and Reinvention

On May 15th, Las Vegas celebrates its 120th birthday, honoring more than a century of growth, innovation, and unforgettable moments that have redefined tourism and shaped the city into the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World.

Founded on May 15, 1905, as a small railroad stop in the desert, Las Vegas quickly evolved into a global powerhouse for tourism, hospitality, and entertainment. From the legalization of gaming in 1931 to the opening of the Flamingo Hotel in 1946, Las Vegas set 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 iconic exterior LED screen – the world’s largest – will light up with its beloved emoji Orbi™. Since its debut, Orbi has become a global phenomenon and this week, will have the honor of 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. Orbi has become part of the Las Vegas community, sweating through a heat wave, waking up with a daily cup of coffee and putting its party hat on every Friday and Saturday night.

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.

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 fantasy world.

Through the decades, Las Vegas 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— and we’re just getting started.”

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, world-class concerts, marquee events, and immersive attractions.

With venues like Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena paving the way for sports and opportunity, and Sphere setting a new bar for immersive entertainment, there are still ‘firsts’ to look ahead to – including a 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 a world-class, top-of-mind mecca.

Archival video can be found here. It includes clips from marketing videos produced by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

Credit: Las Vegas Archive

• :00-:41 Helldorado Days Parade (annual celebration to celebrate Las Vegas’ birthday)
• :42-1:00 SOT of entertainer Frank Sinatra “What makes this city special, is it’s ability to appeal to all types of people, for all types of reasons. And believe you me, I’ve been in a lot of cities in my day, Las Vegas is more than just a destination, it’s a feeling. You can search the world over for that perfect feel or you can experience it.”
• 1:00-2:00 a variety of neon signs
• 1:02-2:08 SOT of entertainer Robert Goulet “So much, for so little in Las Vegas.”
• 2:09-2:26 Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority logo
• 2:27-2:59 man talking about the Las Vegas Convention Center

For more information, visit www.visitlasvegas.com.