Howard Robard Hughes Jr. died on board an aircraft en route from Acapulco, Mexico, to Houston, Texas. Kidney failure was recorded as the cause of death. This marked the end of the life of a complex and influential figure in American history.

Howard Hughes arrived in Las Vegas and moved into the Desert Inn. His presence transformed Las Vegas, as he began buying several hotel-casinos and worked to change the city's image. This marked the beginning of Hughes' significant influence in Las Vegas.