Back in the swingin’ 1950s, Las Vegas wasn’t just about the glitz, the glam, or the gamble. Nope, the city decided to spice things up with a bang — quite literally — by adding atomic bomb detonations to its list of must-see attractions. That’s right, folks! Las Vegas proudly branded itself as “Atomic City,” where the nightlife was explosive in more ways than one.

Imagine this: you’re sipping on a martini, the roulette wheel is spinning, and then someone whispers, “Hey, wanna see something really wild?” Cut to you and your fellow thrill-seekers, with your specially issued atomic-viewing calendars in hand, picking out the prime spots to watch the sky light up brighter than the Strip itself.

These calendars were the talk of the town, detailing not just when but where to get the best views of these atomic spectacles. And boy, did they keep the schedule packed! Over 12 years, Vegas was popping off nuclear fireworks at a rate of about one every three weeks. That’s right, forget fireworks; here, the sky was the stage for Uncle Sam’s most dazzling, if not slightly madcap, science show.

So, if you were around in the ’50s and looking for a vacation with a bit of a blast, Las Vegas was the place to be. Where else could you lose your shirt at blackjack and then step outside to see the horizon erupt in a mushroom cloud? Only in Vegas, baby—where the stakes are high, and the skies are alight with atomic delight!