Although we celebrated it this past weekend, the historic Nevada Day, the anniversary of our admission into the union is this Wednesday. That set off a discussion in the newsroom about when and how it was changed to the last Friday in October.

Growing up here, I seem to remember it always landing on October 31. In my memory we celebrated Halloween and our statehood on the same day, except in Carson City which scheduled trick or treating on another night to keep kids from sharing the streets with inebriated Nevada Day revelers. In fact, after becoming a state holiday in 1933, Nevada Day was moved from time to time to avoid having it on Sunday. There were suggestions to move it to the last Friday in October and finally in 1997, the passage of AB 396 which put the matter before the voters. The voters said yes and Nevada Day became another three-day holiday beginning in 2000.

I admit I’m one of those traditionalists generally opposed to moving holidays. The practice does make for a nice three day break, but over time it also diminishes the meaning behind the day itself.  That happens enough already. Don ’t think so? Next Labor Day ask people around you just what we’re celebrating.