History Tap No. 23: October 21, 2026

Round 1: landmark

MGM Grand Las Vegas

Opened in Nevada, on December 18, 1993.

• With more than 5,000 rooms, it was the largest hotel in the world at the time of its opening.
• The MGM Grand includes a 171,500 sq ft (15,930 m2) casino, the world's largest at the time of opening.
• The resort was developed by Kirk Kerkorian through his company, MGM Grand, Inc. Kerkorian had previously developed another MGM Grand, which opened on the Strip in 1973, was renamed Bally's in 1986, and was again renamed Horseshoe in 2022.

Round 2: historic event, world

Fall of Saigon

Happened in Vietnam, on April 30, 1975.

• The capture of the city was preceded by Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of almost all American civilian and military personnel in Saigon, along with tens of thousands of South Vietnamese civilians who had been associated with the government.
• By the next day, President Minh had surrendered while the PAVN/VC had occupied the important points of the city and raised the VC flag over the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, ending the existence of South Vietnam and its predecessor (1949–1975).
• United States ground combat units had left South Vietnam more than two years before the fall of Saigon and were not available to assist with either the defense or the evacuation of Saigon.

Round 3: historic event, world

2011 Egyptian revolution

Began in Egypt, on January 25, 2011.

• Protesters retaliated by burning over 90 police stations across the country.
• During the uprising, the capital, Cairo, was described as "a war zone" and the port city of Suez saw frequent violent clashes.
• Protesters defied a government-imposed curfew, which the police and military could not enforce in any case.

Round 4: landmark

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Opened in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1959.

• The Boston Celtics have the most inductees, with 41.
• Dedicated to Canadian-American physician James Naismith, who invented the sport in Springfield, the Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1959 and opened its first facility on February 17, 1968.
• As of 2024, the Hall has inducted 436 players, coaches, referees, and other basketball professionals.

Round 5: landmark

Overseas Railroad

Opened in Florida, on January 22, 1912.

• The Overseas Railroad (also known as Florida Overseas Railroad, the Overseas Extension, and Flagler's Folly) was an extension of the Florida East Coast Railway to Key West, a city located 128 miles (206 km) beyond the end of the Florida peninsula.
• Some of the remaining infrastructure was used for the Overseas Highway.