Las Vegas Celebrates 120th Anniversary with Iconic Orbi™ and a Glimpse into the City’s Continued Evolution
(IN SHORT) Las Vegas celebrated its 120th anniversary with a spectacular event, including a special appearance from Orbi™, the beloved emoji, who blew out birthday candles across the city. From its humble beginnings as a railroad stop to its rise as a global entertainment and sports hub, Las Vegas has continuously reinvented itself, becoming one of the world’s premier destinations. The city is set to continue this transformation, with major upcoming events and new developments further solidifying its place at the forefront of tourism and entertainment.
(PRESS RELEASE) LAS VEGAS, 2025-May-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Las Vegas recently marked its 120th birthday, celebrating a century of growth, innovation, and unforgettable moments that have transformed the city into the renowned Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World. Since its founding on May 15, 1905, as a small railroad stop in the desert, Las Vegas has evolved into a global powerhouse for tourism, hospitality, and entertainment. Key milestones such as the legalization of gaming in 1931 and the opening of the Flamingo Hotel in 1946 laid the foundation for the city’s iconic status. The installation of the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign in 1959 remains a symbol of the city’s vibrant spirit.
To commemorate this historic occasion, Sphere’s massive exterior LED screen—recognized as the world’s largest—featured the beloved emoji Orbi™. Orbi has become a global sensation, and in a special tribute to the city, it had the honor of blowing out birthday candles on marquees throughout Las Vegas, including at Resorts World Las Vegas and Fremont Street Experience’s Viva Vision. Orbi, a part of the Las Vegas community, has become known for enduring heat waves, enjoying morning coffee, and donning a party hat on weekends. Footage of Orbi™ blowing out the candles can be found here.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Las Vegas was a haven for mobsters, operating largely under minimal oversight. The city’s proximity to military testing sites and its burgeoning tourism opportunities helped fuel the growth of a unique destination. Additionally, the Nevada Test Site brought thousands of military personnel and federal funds to the region, further cementing Las Vegas’s status as a major tourist hub.
The 1960s and 1970s saw Las Vegas evolve into a playground for A-list entertainment, with icons like Elvis Presley, showgirls, and the Rat Pack solidifying the city’s reputation. The opening of The Mirage in 1989 marked the beginning of the megaresort era, followed by iconic themed resorts like Luxor, Bellagio, New York New York, Paris, and The Venetian, transforming the Strip into an immersive world of fantasy.
Over the decades, Las Vegas has continued to reinvent itself. From the mega-resorts of the 1990s to the arrival of professional sports, including the Vegas Golden Knights, the Raiders, Las Vegas Aces, Formula 1, and major events like Super Bowl LVIII and WrestleMania 41, the city remains a global leader in sports and entertainment.
“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.”
Las Vegas has undergone one of the most impressive reinventions in modern city history. Once known primarily for inexpensive dining and showgirls, it is now a global leader in professional sports, world-class concerts, and immersive attractions.
With venues like Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena leading the charge for sports, and Sphere setting new standards for immersive entertainment, Las Vegas is looking toward the future. Upcoming milestones include the College Football Playoff Championship in 2027, the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2028, and the arrival of Major League Baseball with the Oakland Athletics in 2028. The Athletics will play in a state-of-the-art, 33,000-seat stadium set to break ground later this year.
Ongoing reinventions of properties like The Mirage—soon to become the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino—along with a $600M renovation and expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the continued development of the Vegas Loop underground transportation system, ensure that Las Vegas remains at the forefront of global destinations.
Archival Video
For additional context, archival video footage is available here, showcasing marketing videos produced by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Video Highlights
00:00-00:41: Helldorado Days Parade (an annual celebration of Las Vegas’ birthday)
00:42-01:00: SOT of entertainer Frank Sinatra: “What makes this city special, is it’s ability to appeal to all types of people, for all types of reasons. And believe you me, I’ve been in a lot of cities in my day, Las Vegas is more than just a destination, it’s a feeling. You can search the world over for that perfect feel or you can experience it.”
01:00-02:00: A montage of neon signs
01:02-02:08: SOT of entertainer Robert Goulet: “So much, for so little in Las Vegas.”
02:09-02:26: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority logo
02:27-02:59: Man speaking about the Las Vegas Convention Center
For more information, visit www.visitlasvegas.com.
Media Contacts
Heidi Hayes
LVCVA
United States
HHayes@lvcva.com
702-892-7427
SOURCE: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
