We the People Celebrate Nevada Day!

Reported correct by the Com on Phraseology Dec 3, 1863. The Constitution of the State of Nevada. Preamble. We the people of the Territory State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, ensure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect government by the name of the State of Nevada do establish this Constitution. — Nevada State Constitution Preamble, Annotated Draft, November 30-December 8, 1863. Territorial Records, the Nevada State Archives.

October 31st, Nevada Day, is an opportune time for “we the people” to reflect upon the history of our state constitution and what it means to us today. The Nevada State Archives is home to annotated drafts (1863-1864) and the final 1864 version of the Nevada Constitution, all of which are open to the public.

The Preamble of a December 1863 draft (pictured above) begins by striking through the word “Territory” and adding the word “State.” Although unauthorized by the federal government, the delegates of Nevada’s First Constitutional Convention met to act on their convictions that the Nevada Territory was destined for statehood. In November and December of 1863, the delegates of the First Constitutional Convention framed the document that was subsequently revised by the Second Constitutional Convention (July 1864), approved by the Territory of Nevada voters (September 7, 1864), and made official by President Lincoln on October 31, 1864.

Combined with the conventions' journal, reports, and proceedings, the annotated drafts reveal the debates and decisions that led to the adoption of our state constitution and the fundamental principles that guide Nevada today.

Constitutional Convention. First Day. Carson, N.T. July 4th 1864. Pursuant to the provisions of an act passed by the congress and approved on the 21st Day of March AD 1864, entitled “An act to enable the people of the Territory of Nevada to form a State Constitution, and for the admission of such state into the Union on an equal footing with the original States.” The delegates elected in accordance therewith by the people of the several Counties in the Territory of Nevada assembled this day at the hall of the House of Representatives in this city at 10 o’clock AM. J. Neely Johnson of Ormsby called the convention to order, and on his motion Cornelius M Brosnan of Storey County… — Nevada Second Constitutional Convention Journal, July 4, 1864, First Day [page 1]. Territorial Records at the Nevada State Archives.

The delegates of the first and second constitutional conventions were strongly divided on some issues, such as how mines should be taxed. In contrast, drafts of the Constitution reveal that the delegates of both conventions agreed on some concepts from the beginning. For example, in the Declaration of Rights of this early draft (December 2, 1863), the first paragraph of Section I remains unchanged to this day.

Reported Correct from the Committee on Phraseology, Dec 2. All men are by nature free and equal and have certain inalienable rights among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing and protecting property; and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness. — Nevada State Constitution, Annotated Draft, November 30-December 8, 1863, Article [1], Section 1 Declaration of Rights detail. Territorial Records, Nevada State Archives.

The Constitution of the State of Nevada is the cornerstone of Nevada’s government. It has been debated and updated periodically since 1864. Amendments may be added to the Constitution through a multi-year process, requiring passage by voters in two successive general elections. To date, the Nevada Constitution has been amended more than 100 times since its adoption in 1864, and “we the people” have the power to approve or reject amendments yet again in the upcoming election.

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