EDITORIAL: So long, sesquicentennial

Nevada turns 151 years old Saturday, at which time the state's nearly two-year observance of its sesquicentennial will officially end.

And what a celebration it's been.

Gov. Brian Sandoval went all in to mark Nevada's 150th birthday, creating a special commission to plan events all over the state. There were 500, allowing every Nevadan to join the party at some point.

The final official ceremony took place Tuesday, when Gov. Sandoval dedicated an incense cedar tree outside the Capitol. He did so holding a first edition copy of John C. Fremont's journal, which documented the explorer's observations of the trees that can grow as tall as 200 feet. Then he and the members of the commission dedicated a permanent exhibit for sesquicentennial memorabilia in the Capitol.

The state used the sesquicentennial to remember how far Nevada has come and think about where it's headed. And for anyone who missed any part of the observance, there are plenty of ways to catch up.

The Review-Journal wrote hundreds of stories about people and places across the state. They're archived at www.reviewjournal.com/nevada-150/stories. And the Review-Journal's former parent company published the official commemorative book, "Nevada: 150 Years in the Silver State," featuring many of the state's finest writers and photographers, and edited by former longtime Nevada journalist Geoff Schumacher.

It's been a birthday worth remembering. Now it's finally time to move on to the next one. So long, sesquicentennial.