The Las Vegas Valley has been populated since 10.000 B.C. Up until the 19th century, the only residents were the Paiute Indians. The Spanish who discovered the valley named it Las Vegas (Spanish word meaning Meadows or Fertile Lands). It wasn’t until the 20th century till the Americans realized its importance, with Las Vegas becoming a water stop for trains. Suffering from economic regression and unemployment , the construction of the Hoover Dam provided job opportunities which led to a rise in the population of the city. Gambling was forbidden for a long period of time but in 1931, the Nevada state legislature legalized it which paved way for the construction of casinos. During WW2, a gunnery school was established in the region which would later become the Nellis Air Force Base. In the 1950's several nuclear tests were conducted in the area and were even advertised as tourist attractions, despite the potential dangers of nuclear fallout. Desegregation was a long process but ultimately, all services in Las Vegas realized the importance of not making differences between their customers, providing equal rights and opportunities. In the 1970-80s period a huge economic growth has occurred.
Recently, the 2007 mortgage crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark on the city as it must face new economic problems like growing unemployment and its effects on the economy.