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.
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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.
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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.
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4. 1973: Rebecca Ann King of Denver is crowned Miss America.
Flickr/Jennifer Donley
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.
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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.
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7. 1978: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization names Mesa Verde National Park one of their first 12 World Heritage Sites.
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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.
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Peña would eventually become both the United States Secretary of Transportation (1993-1997) and Secretary of Energy (1997-1998).

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9. 1989: University of Colorado Boulder Professors Thomas Cech and Sidney Altman receive the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
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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.
Flickr/John and Belinda Bosley
11. 1994: Rashaan Salaam of the University of Colorado Buffaloes wins the Heisman Trophy.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Back-to-back, baby!
15. The 2008 Democratic National Convention is held in Denver, bringing $266.1 million in state revenue.
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Which historic moment from the last 50 years is your favorite?

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