1906 First show opened on Monday, January 29 and ran for six days. Harry Petrie, Superintendent of the Denver Stockyards was named first General Manager. Attendance was estimated at 15,000 with stockmen visiting from Omaha, Kansas City, Chicago and some eastern cities. Four breeds of cattle are shown, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway, Hereford and Shorthorn. 1907 The Livestock Show was enhanced by the addition of a Horse Division. 1908 The first year the National Western is truly a "national" event, competition is unrestricted geographically and open to the entire United States. 1909 The 1909 show opened on January 18 in the newly constructed 6,000 seat National Amphitheater, erected for $200,000 provided by the Denver Union Stockyard Company. This building still stands today. 1911 A three story horse barn, a two story cattle barn and a National Western Club building were completed. National Western introduced its first poultry show and its first beef carcass contest. 1915 The show was cancelled due to a “foot and mouth” disease epidemic, which prohibited livestock from crossing state lines. The Gentleman's Riding and Driving Club provided a horse show and two local poultry associations held a poultry exhibition but no stock show. 1916 The Livestock Exchange Building opened as the main building for Denver Union Stockyard Company. 1928 First Champion Steer in the Junior Show was an Angus steer weighing 1,280 pounds. 1935 The first Catch-A-Calf contest was held. 1952 The Denver Coliseumwas finally dedicated on January 10 for the 46th National Western. 1956 The show’s Golden Anniversary was a huge success, with entries second only to the record 1948 turnout. 1966 Livestock entries topped the 4,000 mark for the first time. Charolais cattle were added to the Livestock Show. 1972 “Big Mac”, the Grand Champion steer was ruled ineligible. It had been previously entered at the American Royal Show in Kansas City as a white steer. It had been dyed black for the National Western Stock Show. 1973 The two-level 300 x 390 foot Hall of Education with the new National Western Club and the Beef Palace Auction Arena was ready for cattle move-in five days before the show began.was opened to the public.
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