 "History Today: When McDonald’s flipped its first burger in California")
On May 15, 1940, the McDonald brothers opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in San Bernardino, California. The American fast food chain would later grow into one of the most well-known and successful restaurant businesses across the world.
Also on this day in 1905, the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake railroad reached Las Vegas, linking the city to the Pacific coast and the main railway lines in the country. Las Vegas celebrates its birthday on this date.
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, **History Today** , is your one-stop destination to explore key events.
Let’s take a look at these key events:
World’s first McDonald’s restaurant is opened
On this day in 1940, Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald’s fast-food restaurant in San Bernardino, California. At the time, it was a typical drive-in with a large menu and car hop service.
But it was not the burger-focused chain we know today. Back then, it was a barbecue restaurant.
The San Bernardino outlet, located east of Los Angeles, was actually the brothers’ second attempt in the food business. Their first was a hot dog stand near the Santa Anita racetrack.
The original McDonald’s stood out by selling burgers, fries, and shakes for half the usual price and serving them much faster than other restaurants.
They changed the way food was served. By 1949, they had cut down the menu to just 15-cent hamburgers, fries, and shakes.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsInstead of using staff to take and serve orders, they set up a self-service counter. They also cooked food in advance and kept it warm under strong heat lamps, saving time and effort.
Now based in Chicago, McDonald’s has grown into one of the world’s most well-known brands. Since its early days as a small drive-in, the company has seen many changes, with moments of progress and controversy.
By the early 2000s, McDonald’s had over 34,000 outlets in more than 115 countries and territories.
Birth of Las Vegas
The city of Las Vegas was founded on May 15, 1905. The day is remembered as a key moment in the city’s history, setting it on the path to becoming the global entertainment hub it is today.
The San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad, which connected Southern California with Salt Lake City, helped turn Las Vegas into a railroad town.
Its reliable water supply made it an ideal stop for trains to refuel and rest. In January 1905, JT McWilliams offered land for sale in a nearby area west of the tracks. This became what is now called the Historic Westside.
Las Vegas continued to grow rapidly. The building of the Hoover Dam and the legalisation of gambling both played major roles in the city’s development, paving the way for the famous casinos and hotels that now shape its image.
Las Vegas is the fastest-growing city in the United States. In 1940, fewer than 40,000 people lived there. By 1954, the number had grown to 54,000.
In 1995, the metro area crossed one million residents, reached 1.58 million by 2003, and passed 1.8 million in 2008. Thousands still move to the city every month.
This Day, That Year
1800: US President John Adams ordered government offices to shift from Philadelphia to the newly built city of Washington.
1811: Paraguay declared its independence from Spain, marking the beginning of a new nation in South America.
1928: Mickey Mouse made his first appearance in the cartoon ‘Plane Crazy’.
1967: Madhuri Dixit, one of the most popular and well-known film actors, was born.
1991: Edith Cresson became the first woman to serve as the premier of France.
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