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Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40

On Monday, the Superdome celebrates 40 years as a major feature of New Orleans’ skyline. It remains a stadium unlike any other, but when it was opened 40 years ago, the Dome was unsurpassed.

"Many of the domed stadiums that came after the Superdome - the Metrodome, Silverdome, Kingdome - they are all gone now," said Doug Thornton, vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The stadium began as the brainchild of David Dixon, a businessman and sports executive who played a key role in the formation of the New Orleans Saints.

Dixon was allegedly told by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle that the NFL would not expand to New Orleans without an indoor, domed stadium. After winning the support of Louisiana governor John McKeithen, the idea for a ‘Superdome' was born. Legislation to build the Superdome was passed in 1966. It passed by the largest margin in Louisiana's history.

Following numerous delays, construction crews broke ground on the project August 12, 1971. After nearly four years, the Superdome opened its doors on August 3, 1975.

When the dome opened, Bob Hope entertained. And between then and now, there have been countless events that have made the city and the stadium inseparable.

The Superdome has seen a record seven Super Bowls and five NCAA Men's Final Four. Other notable events include:

Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 photos over 40 years - FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports, Social

Memories. Crashing the gates, climbing in the rafters, sneaking into locker rooms. what a great place to grow up in :p