Nevada By eme111190 1776 Spanish priest Francisco gares 1821 Mexico gains Independence. 1848 U.S acquires territory inculing nevada after winning mexcain war 1850 Morman prospectors find gold in canyon 1851 first permanent settlement 1864 Nevada becomes 36th state on October 31 1890 Nevada experience population slump as demand sliver decreases 1931 Gambling legalized by state legislature 1936 hover dam competed 1951 U.S begins testing atomic weapons in Nevada