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A massive American flag the size of a football field has been hung from the iconic Hoover Dam in the lead-up to the nation’s 250th birthday, after desert winds briefly forced it to come down for safety.
The enormous installation, measuring 300 feet wide and 150 feet tall, was first unveiled on Memorial Day as part of nationwide celebrations leading up to America’s semiquincentennial on July 4.
It is set to remain in place through the Fourth of July, weather permitting.
The display was temporarily taken down on Wednesday after powerful desert gusts reached 55 mph.
Officials said crews carefully rolled up the 2,000-pound flag to protect it from damage before reinstalling it once conditions calmed.
By night, the landmark transforms into a glowing tribute to US, illuminated by more than 550 automated LED lights powered entirely by the Hoover Dam’s hydroelectric energy.
The flag itself required five days of sewing preparation and has previously flown at major NFL events for the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo praised the installation as a reflection of American strength and progress as the country nears its 250th birthday, highlighting the spirit of innovation and resilience tied to both the state and the nation.
Built during the Great Depression under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Public Works Administration, the Hoover Dam stands as one of America’s most enduring engineering triumphs
Rising 726 feet high and spanning 1,244 feet across, it generates hydroelectric power for roughly 1.3 million people across Nevada, Arizona and California.
More than 21,000 workers built the dam, which was once the tallest structure of its kind in the world.
Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, described the dam as a symbol that goes beyond infrastructure, crediting it with helping shape nearby Boulder City and the modern rise of Las Vegas.
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