From Desert Water Stop to Global Destination, Las Vegas Celebrates 120 Years of Iconic History and Reinvention

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LAS VEGAS, May 15, 2025 ~ Las Vegas, NV - Today marks a significant milestone for the city of Las Vegas as it celebrates its 120th birthday. The city, known as the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World, has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a small railroad stop in the desert.

Founded on May 15, 1905, Las Vegas has evolved into a global powerhouse for tourism, hospitality, and entertainment. From the legalization of gaming in 1931 to the opening of the iconic Flamingo Hotel in 1946, Las Vegas has continuously pushed boundaries and set new standards for excitement and entertainment. The famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, erected in 1959, has become an iconic symbol of the city's vibrant spirit.

To commemorate this special occasion, Sphere's iconic exterior LED screen – the world's largest – lit up with its beloved emoji Orbi™. Since its debut, Orbi has become a global phenomenon and will have the honor of blowing out birthday candles on marquees across the destination this week. The celebration will conclude with special birthday messages on Resorts World Las Vegas and Fremont Street Experience's Viva Vision. Orbi has become an integral part of the Las Vegas community, enduring heat waves and joining in on Friday and Saturday night festivities. Footage of Orbi™ blowing out candles can be found here.

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Over the years, Las Vegas has undergone a remarkable evolution. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was known as a mobster's paradise with minimal oversight and cash flowing freely. Names like Bugsy Siegel, Moe Dalitz, Tony "The Ant" Spilotro and Frank Rosenthal were central to Vegas' underworld scene.

In addition to its reputation for gaming and entertainment, Las Vegas also became known for its unique tourist destination due to nuclear testing at the only above-ground nuclear test site. This brought thousands of military personnel, jobs, and federal funds to the region.

The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of production shows and A-list entertainment with the likes of Elvis, showgirls, and the Rat Pack. The opening of The Mirage in 1989 ushered in the trend of megaresorts that would dominate the 1990s. 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 transformed the Strip into an immersive fantasy world.

But Las Vegas didn't stop there. Through the decades, it continued to reinvent itself with the arrival of professional sports teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights, Raiders, Las Vegas Aces, Formula 1 races, and major events like Super Bowl LVIII and WrestleMania 41.

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"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."

And there's still more to come. With venues like Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena paving the way for sports and opportunity, Sphere setting a new bar for immersive entertainment, and upcoming events such as a College Football Playoff Championship (2027) and NCAA Men's Final Four (2028), Las Vegas shows no signs of slowing down.

In addition to its impressive reinvention in terms of entertainment options, Las Vegas has also undergone significant property renovations such as the historic Mirage – soon to be Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – as well as a $600 million renovation and expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The city also continues to innovate with projects like the underground transportation Vegas Loop.

As Las Vegas celebrates its 120th birthday, it is clear that the city has come a long way from its humble beginnings. What was once known for cheap eats, slot machines, and showgirls has transformed into a world-class destination for major league sports, world-class concerts, marquee events, and immersive attractions. The archival video footage from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s showcases the city's evolution and serves as a reminder of how far it has come.

For more information on Las Vegas and its ongoing evolution, visit www.visitlasvegas.com.
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