The Birth of a Modern Roman Empire (1966)

 

When developer Jay Sarno opened Caesars Palace on August 5, 1966, he fundamentally transformed the Las Vegas Strip. Conceived as an opulent Greco-Roman sanctuary where every guest was treated like royalty—hence omitting the apostrophe in "Caesars" so everyone felt like Caesar—it was one of the first fully themed luxury resorts in the city. Sarno set the property far back from the Boulevard to create a grand entrance framed by towering fountains and Corinthian columns. The resort launched with a legendary $1 million three-day grand opening party featuring tons of filet mignon, thousands of glasses of champagne, and world-class spectacle, immediately setting a new benchmark for Las Vegas hospitality.

A Cultural Hub for Entertainment and Sports

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Caesars Palace established itself as the world's premier arena for headlining talent and high-stakes sporting events. Legendary performers like Frank Sinatra, Cher, and Judy Garland graced the stage at the iconic Circus Maximus showroom. Outside, the property became a global sports hub, hosting monumental championship boxing matches featuring Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, as well as landmark stunt spectacles like Evel Knievel’s famous 1967 fountain jump.

Redefining the Modern Strip Resort

Over the decades, Caesars Palace continued to pioneer major Strip trends, evolving into a mega-resort while preserving its classic grandeur. In 1992, it introduced The Forum Shops, introducing experiential, destination retail with talking statues and an painted sky ceiling. In 2003, the resort built the 4,000-seat Colosseum specifically for Celine Dion, launching the modern era of lucrative resident headliners that redefined Vegas entertainment. Standing strong six decades later, Caesars Palace remains a cornerstone of the Strip’s history and identity.