Today In History with The Retrospectors Welcome To Las Vegas
Mar 19, 2025
Discover the origins of Las Vegas as a mining outpost turned gambling mecca after 1931's Wide Open Gambling Bill. Learn how the Boulder Dam project brought droves of workers, electrifying Fremont Street. The show dives into the glamorous era initiated by Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo and the allure of stars like Frank Sinatra. Delve into the city’s transformation and the impact of crime legislation, as well as its complicated relationship with celebrity culture and race in entertainment, shaping Vegas into the iconic destination it is today.
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Legalized Gambling
- Las Vegas's transformation began in 1931 when Nevada legalized casino gambling.
- This decision aimed to revitalize the town's struggling economy during the Great Depression.
Gambling's Return
- Nevada had a history of open gambling until anti-vice pressures led to its outlaw in 1909.
- The Boulder Dam project and the influx of workers revived the need for gambling revenue.
Sin City's Rise
- Las Vegas offered quick divorces alongside gambling, solidifying its "Sin City" image.
- El Rancho Vegas, built in 1941, was the first hotel-casino on what is now the Strip.