Posted in Colorado
State Pride November 03, 2015
by Annie
The Best Things To Happen To Colorado In The Last 50 Years
I’m not going to lie–Colorado has seen its fair share of hard times over the last 50 years. However, we have also seen a great amount of triumph, innovation and achievement, as demonstrated by these 15 historic instances:
1. 1970: After an oxygen tank exploded on the Apollo 13 space flight to the moon, the three-man crew manages to fly back to earth safely.
This three-man crew included Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert of Denver.
2. 1973: Colorado's first woman delegate to the U.S. Congress takes her seat in the United States House of Representatives.
Congresswoman Pat Schroeder (Denver) served Colorado's 1st congressional district for 24 years.
3. 1973: The United States Supreme Court orders the complete desegregation of the Denver Public Schools.
4. 1973: Rebecca Ann King of Denver is crowned Miss America.
The only other times Miss Colorado received the national title were in 1956 and 1958.
5. 1974: The first ever Telluride Film Festival is held.
The international film festival has premiered award winning movies such as Ken Burns's "The Civil War," "Mulholland Drive" and "Brokeback Mountain."
6. 1978: The United States Olympic Committee moves into the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
7. 1978: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization names Mesa Verde National Park one of their first 12 World Heritage Sites.
Other sites include the Taj Mahal, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and Serengeti National Park.
8. 1983: Federico Peña assumes office as the first Hispanic Mayor of the City and County of Denver.
Peña would eventually become both the United States Secretary of Transportation (1993-1997) and Secretary of Energy (1997-1998).
9. 1989: University of Colorado Boulder Professors Thomas Cech and Sidney Altman receive the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The duo won the prestigious award for their work on the catalytic properties of RNA.
10. 1991: Wellington Webb assumes office as the first African-American Mayor of the City and County of Denver.
11. 1994: Rashaan Salaam of the University of Colorado Buffaloes wins the Heisman Trophy.
This is the first (and last) time a Colorado student wins the coveted award.
12. 1996: The Colorado Avalanche defeat the Florida Panthers in four games to win the Stanley Cup.
The Avs would be the first major league sports team to bring a championship trophy to Colorado.
13. 1998: The Denver Broncos defeat the Green Bay Packers 31 to 24 in Super Bowl XXXII.
This would be the first Super Bowl win for the Broncos.
14. 1999: The Denver Broncos defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34 to 19 in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Back-to-back, baby!
15. The 2008 Democratic National Convention is held in Denver, bringing $266.1 million in state revenue.
Which historic moment from the last 50 years is your favorite?
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