This Day in History: March 19

Here’s a brief look back in time on this day, March 19.

In 1931, Nevada lawmakers legalize commercial gambling as a last-ditch effort to recover from the economic meltdown of the Great Depression. This is the state’s second time passing the measure following its ban in 1909. At this point, the Las Vegas Strip had yet to be developed, but Sin City would experience a population explosion in the 1960s: turning the once-bland town into an oasis situated perfectly in the Mojave Desert. Fun fact: Nevada is also famously known for its easy marriage and divorce process. Las Vegas alone is said to be the venue for about 150 marriages per day. Meanwhile, getting a divorce doesn’t require proof of misconduct unlike other states. This means that prospective divorcees can cite “lack of compatibility” as a reason. Combined with its short waiting period, Nevada is currently the #1 state in divorce rates.

In 1953, the first telecast of the Academy Awards is filmed at the RKO Pantages Theater in Hollywood. NBC was the first company to bring the night of glamor and prestige to the small screen in real-time.

In 1977, the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show airs for the first time in the United States on CBS. The show is ranked one of the most influential sitcoms in television history, having been nominated for an Emmy 67 times, and winning 29 of them. Its series finale, titled “The Last Show”, drew 21.2 million viewers that night.