From the White House in Washington, President Lincoln proclaims Nevada as the Union's 36th state

In September 1864, the people of Nevada had voted overwhelmingly - by a vote 10,375 to 1,284 - to accept the newly drafted state constitution. Immediately, the entire ratified document was wired to Washington at a cost of $3,416.77, the longest and most expensive telegraph message to date. President Lincoln, accordingly, proclaimed Nevada a state, eight days before the national elections. The new state's votes in Congress were a welcome boost to both the president's November election chances and to his legislative program. (By John Osborne)